Lac - Central America Regional and Country Profiles

Review of Current and Planned

Adaptation Action:

Central America and Mexico Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,

Nicaragua, Mexico and Panama

November 2011

About the Adaptation Partnership

The Adaptation Partnership was formed in May 2010 in response to a recognized need for development practitioners to share information and lessons on adaptation efforts. Chaired by Costa Rica, Spain and the United States, the goal of the partnership is to encourage effective adaptation by serving as an interim platform to catalyze action and foster communication among the various institutions and actors engaged in the effort to scale up adaptation and resilience around the world, particularly in the context of fast start finance. The Partnership is synthesizes lessons learned and good practices, highlighting needs and priorities, and identifying opportunities for cooperation and alignment of support to build resilience to the adverse effects of climate change. It is also enhancing communities of practice engaged in the adaptation effort. Adaptation Partnership

Website: http://www.adaptationpartnership.org/

Review of Current

and Planned

Adaptation Action:

Central America

and Mexico

First Draft Contributing Authors: Marius Keller, Daniella Echeverría, Jo-Ellen Parry International Institute for Sustainable Development

ii Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central America and Mexico

Foreword

In response to a growing awareness of the potentially adverse effects of climate change and the

particular vulnerability of developing countries to this process, a significant increase in adaptation

action has been witnessed in recent years in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the

Caribbean. These actions are providing opportunities to: increase understanding of the implications

of climate change for the achievement of development objectives in the near- and long-term;

identify strategies and measures that can be taken to reduce climate vulnerability; communicate and

build awareness of climate risks, opportunities and potential solutions; and begin implementing

actions on the ground that build capacity to adapt to a changing climate.

Although the recent upsurge in adaptation action globally is a welcome development, the emergence

of a diverse array of efforts initiated by multiple actors within numerous jurisdictions has the

potential to create confusion, lead to duplication of effort, and limit the potential for sharing good

practice guidance based on past efforts. Enhanced coordination among expanding networks of

adaptation actors is needed to ensure resources are deployed quickly and effectively. To this end, the

Adaptation Partnership was formed in 2010. Chaired by Costa Rica, Spain and the United States, the

goal of the Adaptation Partnership is to encourage effective adaptation by serving as an interim

platform to catalyze action and foster communication among the various institutions and actors

engaged in the effort to scale up adaptation and resilience around the world.

As a contribution to achievement of this goal, the Adaptation Partnership initiated a Review of

Current and Planned Adaptation Action in the fall of 2010. Its purpose is to provide a baseline

understanding of who is doing what on adaptation in three developing regions—Africa, Asia-Pacific,

and Latin America and the Caribbean—and in priority adaptation sectors. Based on available

resources, it seeks to provide a rapid assessment of: priority interests and adaptation needs; efforts

by governments support adaptation though policy and planning; the scope of international support

for adaptation efforts in different countries and sectors; and potential gaps in adaptation efforts at

the country and regional level.

This document is one of 12 regional profiles completed as a contribution to the Review of Current

and Planned Adaptation Action in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean. It

presents a review of current and planned adaptation action in Central America and Mexico, covering

the following eight countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and

Panama, as well as Mexico. The review first provides an overview of adaptation action at a regional

level, highlighting commonalities and differences between these countries. The appendices that

follow discuss adaptation action taking place in each country.

iii Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central America and Mexico

Table of Contents

Foreword .............................................................................................................................. ii

Abbreviations and Acronyms ................................................................................................... iv

Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. vi

1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1

2.0 Methodology....................................................................................................................... 2

3.0 Climate Projections ............................................................................................................ 8

4.0 Needs and Priorities in Central America and Mexico ...................................................... 11

5.0 Assessment of Adaptation Action in Central America and Mexico ................................ 15

5.1 Regional Level Action......................................................................................................................................................... 15

5.2 National Level Action ......................................................................................................................................................... 26

5.3 Communities of Practice .................................................................................................................................................... 30

6.0 Conclusions ...................................................................................................................... 31

References ............................................................................................................................. 33

Appendices: Country Profiles .................................................................................................. 37

1.0 Belize ............................................................................................................................. 44

2.0 Costa Rica ......................................................................................................................... 52

3.0 El Salvador ........................................................................................................................ 64

4.0 Guatemala......................................................................................................................... 75

5.0 Honduras .......................................................................................................................... 91

6.0 Mexico ........................................................................................................................... 104

7.0 Nicaragua ........................................................................................................................ 116

8.0 Panama ........................................................................................................................... 133

iv Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central America and Mexico

Abbreviations and Acronyms

BMZ Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung

(Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) (Germany)

CARICOM Caribbean Community

CATIE Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Tropical

Agriculture Research and Higher Education Centre) (Spain)

CATHALAC Centro del Agua del Trópico Humedo para America Latina y el Caribe

(Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean)

CCAD Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo (Central American

Commission for Environment and Development)

CCCCC Caribbean Community Climate Change Center

CIA U.S. Central Intelligence Agency

CIAT Centro Interacional de Agricultura Tropical (International Center for

Tropical Agriculture)

CIFOR Center for International Forestry Research

ECLAC United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

ENSO El Niño Southern Oscillation

GCM Global Circulation Model

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GEF Global Environment Facility

GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (Germany)

IADB Inter-American Development Bank

IISD International Institute for Sustainable Development

INIA Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria

(National Institute for Research and Technology in Agriculture and Food)

(Spain)

IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

ITCZ Inter-tropical Convergence Zone

IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature

MARN Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales (Ministry for

Environment and Natural Resources) (El Salvador)

MINAET Ministry for Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (Costa Rica)

NAPA National Adaptation Programme of Action

NWP Nairobi Work Programme on Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation to

Climate Change

OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

PIACC Programa Iberoamericano de Adaptación al Cambio Climático (Ibero-

American Programme on Adaptation to Climate Change)

PLC Plataforma Climática Latinoamericana (Latin American Platform on Climate)

RCM Regional Circulation Model

v Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central America and Mexico

REGATTA Regional Gateway for Technology Transfer and Climate Change Action

RIOCC Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American

Network of Climate Change Offices)

SEGEPLAN Sectretaría de Planificación y Programación de la Presidencia (Guatemala)

SEMARNAT Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Secretariat for

Environment and Natural Resources) (Mexico)

SERNA Secretaría de Recursos Naturales y Ambiente (Secretariat of Natural

Resources and Environment) (Honduras)

SICA Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (Central American Integration

System)

SIDA Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

SIECA Sistema de Integración Económica Centroamericana (Central American

Economic Integration System)

TROFCCA Tropical Forests and Climate Change Adaptation

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme

UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

UNOPS United Nations Office for Project Services

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

USDS United States Department of State

WWF Worldwide Fund for Nature / World Wildlife Fund

vi Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central America and Mexico

Executive Summary

Growing understanding of the need to adapt to the impacts of climate change has led to a significant

rise in ongoing and planned adaptation action in the developing regions of the world, including

Central America and Mexico. This upsurge in climate change adaptation action is a welcome

occurrence, but enhanced coordination among expanding networks of adaptation actors is needed to

ensure resources are deployed quickly and effectively. Responding to this concern, a review of

current and planned adaptation action in Central America and Mexico was undertaken by the

Adaptation Partnership1 between October 2010 and May 2011. Covering the countries of Belize,

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Panama, the rapid review

examined: priority adaptation needs; efforts by governments to support adaptation through policy

and planning; the scope of international support for adaptation efforts in different countries and

sectors; and potential gaps in adaptation efforts at the country and regional level. This review of

adaptation action in Central America and Mexico is one of 12 profiles covering regions in Africa,

Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean completed by the Adaptation Partnership.

The vulnerability of Central America and Mexico to the impacts of climate change stems in part

from their location on the isthmus that divides the Pacific and Caribbean Sea, and within the Inter-

Tropical Convergence Zone. This location naturally exposes the region to adverse climatic

conditions such as hurricanes, heavy rainfall and associated risks such as floods and landslides that

historically have had devastating effects on the development of some countries in the region. As

well, many of the economies in the region continue to rely upon climate-sensitive sectors, such as

agriculture, forestry and tourism. Water scarcity is also already a concern in many parts of the region.

Given its potential for causing further economic, ecological and human losses, climate change

presents a distinct risk to the sensitive human and ecological systems in Central America and

Mexico.

Countries in the region are beginning to respond to this risk at both the policy and project level. To

assess the level of adaptation action in Central America and Mexico, a desk-based review of internet

sources and relevant documentation was undertaken. The content of these sources was assessed in

relation to a set of parameters established to focus the review’s scope and ensure consistency across

regions. Notably, it examines discrete adaptation actions, or “policies, programs and projects designed

and implemented specifically to address the current and projected impacts of climate change.” The

review therefore presents only a portion of the breadth of efforts underway to reduce the

vulnerability of developing countries to the impacts of climate. In particular, it does not capture the

broad array of development activities that are increasing the adaptive capacity of communities and

countries. As well, within the review, adaptation actions have been deemed to be “current” if they

were ongoing or completed in 2009 or later. As such, the review does not include projects

1 Formed in 2010, the Adaptation Partnership is chaired by Costa Rica, Spain and the United States. Its goal is to encourage effective adaptation by serving as an interim platform to catalyze action and foster communication among the various institutions and actors engaged in the effort to scale up adaptation and resilience around the world.

vii Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central America and Mexico

completed prior to 2009 that may have contributed to building local and national capacity to adapt.

The review only identifies those actions currently underway; it does not offer judgment of the

effectiveness of the actions taking place. In addition, reflecting the desk-based nature of the review,

it is acknowledged that the content is biased toward identification of large-scale projects funded by

international development assistance organizations, and those projects about which information is

available online. As such, small-scale projects that meet the review’s definition of adaptation action,

particularly those occurring at the community level, are not fully represented within the review.

Climate Vulnerability

Despite its relative small area, Central America and Mexico is climatically diverse, being temperate in

the northern part of Mexico and tropical over the remainder of the area. The mountain ranges that

divide the isthmus separate the Caribbean slope, where rain tends to fall all year and more

abundantly, from the Pacific coast, where the year is split into a dry and wet season (CCAD and

SICA, 2010). In Mexico, rainfall is lower in its temperate northern regions (SEMARNAT, 2010).

Inter-annual climate variability is highly influenced by movement of the ITCZ and the El Niño

Southern Oscillation, the latter of which is the main cause of regional droughts. Over the last 50

years, temperature increases of about 0.2° to 0.3°C per decade have been observed, along with an

increase in heavy rainfall events. Some areas have seen important reductions or increases in average

precipitation (Aguilar et al. 2005).

These trends are projected to continue over the remainder of this century. Climate models suggest

that an annual mean warming of 1.8° to 5.0°C (with a median of 3.2oC) will occur in the region by

the end of the century (Christensen et al., 2007). Rainfall projections are more uncertain, but multi-

model datasets suggest a general reduction in precipitation over most of Central America

(Christensen et al., 2007), although increases may occur in countries such as Costa Rica and Panama,

and some regions of Mexico (CATHALAC, 2008). More difficult to project are changes in the

frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, although studies suggest that the number of very

hot days and dry extremes will increase in the entire region (Christensen et al., 2007) and that the

intensity, but not the frequency, of cyclones will increase (CATHALAC, 2008). These projected (and

uncertain) changes would add to the risks associated with current hydro-meteorological hazards

(Magrin et al., 2007). With respect to other projected changes, sea level rise is expected to continue.

These projected climatic changes have important implications for a region that is already recognized

as being highly vulnerable to climatic hazards (e.g., Harmeling, 2010). Sectoral impacts could include

(ECLAC, 2010a; Magrin et al., 2007, 2010; MARN, 2001; República de Nicaragua, 2001;

SEMARNAT, 2007, 2010; SERNA, 2011):

Agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry: The agricultural sector remains the main source of

employment and food security for large parts of the region’s population, and is especially

important for vulnerable communities. Climate change is projected to result in: a reduction

in overall crop production of up to 10 per cent by 2100; lower quality of fodder; loss in

livestock production; increase in heat stress of animals; changes in ocean currents and

viii Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central America and Mexico

temperatures that alter marine ecosystems; and a loss of biodiversity and the movement of

ecosystem boundaries.

Water and energy: Water supply in Central America and Mexico depends almost entirely on

rainfall, making its temporal and spatial distribution of critical importance for ecosystems,

agriculture, human consumption and other sectors. Climate change is projected to result in:

reduced water supply and quality; increased number of individuals affected by water stress;

growing demand for water; reduced irrigation potential; and lower hydroelectric power

production.

Coastal zones: The coastal areas of Central America are important locations for economic

activities such as agriculture, fishing and tourism. Climate change is projected to lead to: loss

of agricultural land and pastures; flooding of low-lying human settlements and infrastructure;

reduction in beaches; increased threats to coastal and marine biodiversity; lower salt and

shrimp production; and higher risks to mangroves.

Human health: The impact of climate change on the health of human populations is also a

concern as it could result in: a higher percentage of the population experiencing acute

diarrhea and exposed to vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever; increased

threat of heat stress and respiratory diseases; and a rise in mortality and morbidity levels.

Identified adaptation needs and priorities

To respond to the threat posed by climate change, Mexico and Central American countries have

identified their adaptation needs through National Communications to the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), climate change strategies, actions plans and

other documents. Through these documents, all countries have communicated their concerns

regarding the projected impacts of climate change on agriculture and food security, as well as the

availability of freshwater supplies. Coastal zones, human health, biodiversity and forests are also

highlighted by many countries in the region. The need for adaptation action related to fisheries,

energy, infrastructure, tourism, human settlements, transport and risk management are mentioned by

one to a few countries. Some of the adaptation actions identified by countries for implementation in

these sectors include (Gillett and Myvette, 2008; MINAET, 2007; República de Panama, 2001;

SEMARNAT, 2010; SERNA, 2011):

Agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry: Research and development; improved or new crop

varieties; soil conservation techniques; resistant seeds; agricultural diversification; early

warning and food surveillance systems; insurance; sustainable land use and land use

planning; climate risk assessment for fisheries and aquaculture; fisheries management;

protection of endangered species; preservation of mangroves; zoning schemes; forest

protection and reforestation; prevent forest loss from fires and plagues; improved

management of protected areas; and the promotion of traditional and ancestral practices for

natural resources use and management.

Water and Energy: In relation to freshwater supplies: more efficient water supply and irrigation

systems; water capture techniques, wells and aqueducts; strengthening groundwater recharge;

improving sanitation; water conservation and demand management; policies that improve

ix Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central America and Mexico

living conditions in watersheds; and strategic exchanges with other countries in the region.

In relation to hydroelectric energy: secure electricity supply; increase in public and private

investment; modernize the sector to improve competitiveness; and promote energy

efficiency and alternative sources of renewable energy.

Coastal Zones: Protection of vulnerable ecosystems; reforestation of mangroves; integrated

marine and coastal ecosystems management; maintaining the flow of water and sediments

from rivers to avoid coastal erosion; extend natural buffer zones for urban and tourist areas

against hurricanes and floods; relocation of settlement in vulnerable areas; sustainable soil

management and water use in river deltas; provide space for ecosystem shifts; and strengthen

controls on contamination of corals and mangroves.

Human health: Vulnerability studies; better monitoring of health indicators; integration of

climate risk factors into epidemiological surveillance; early warning systems; and better

sanitation systems.

Policy level actions

At the regional and national levels, the countries of Central America and Mexico are engaged in

policy-level action to address their adaptation needs. At a regional level, the countries of Central

America are part of the Central American Commission for Environment and Development that

brings together environmental ministries of the Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (SICA),

or Central American Integration System. In 2010, the member states of SICA developed a climate

change strategy to support regional cooperation on this issue. One of the strategy’s six strategic areas

of focus is vulnerability and adaptation to climate variability and change. Nine strategic objectives

with over 150 measures relating to a diversity of sectors and groups are mentioned under this theme

(CCAD and SICA, 2010). The extent to which Central American states will follow the direction of

the SICA’s strategy is not yet clear.

The Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices (RIOCC) is another prominent

intergovernmental initiative. Involving all the Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries of the

Latin America and Caribbean region, RIOCC provides a regional platform for knowledge exchange,

capacity building and the promotion of regional adaptation projects. It is helping countries improve

their understanding and assessment of impacts, vulnerability and adaptation, and to make informed

decisions on practical adaptation actions, through initiatives such as the “Ibero-American

Programme on Adaptation to Climate Change.” As well, Belize is a member of Caribbean

Community and hosts the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center. The Center has helped

Belize and other Caribbean states develop climate change assessments and strategies through a series

of capacity building projects.

At a national level, all countries within the region have submitted at least one National

Communication to the UNFCCC and many of them have finalized or are about to finalize their

second submission. As well, all countries have either a policy or a strategy on climate change. Yet

there are large differences in the level of policy development and mainstreaming of climate change

x Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central America and Mexico

into national and sectoral development plans occurring within the region. Policies and strategies are

also more elaborate in some countries compared to others. Mexico is a clear leader in the region,

having already published four National Communications and linked adaptation options to existing

sectoral policies. Mexico’s current National Development Plan and the Mid-Term Adaptation Policy

Framework recognize climate change adaptation as a strategic theme. Among Central American

countries, Costa Rica has made the most progress, having established a National Climate Change

Strategy that is explicitly linked to its national development plan and to the SICA regional climate

change strategy. Costa Rica and Mexico are also supporting adaptation planning and action at the

sub-national level. Among the remaining countries of Central America, all national development

plans or strategies (except that of Panama) mention climate change and most refer to adaptation in

particular.

Projects and programs that support adaptation

A number of multi-country adaptation projects and programs covering two or more countries in the

region are current underway or recently completed. These include projects focused exclusively on

addressing concerns within the region of Central America and Mexico, and those that link countries

in the region to other Latin American and Caribbean countries, as well as those in Africa, Asia and

the Pacific. Among other things, the regional projects focus on the implications of climate change

for agricultural production (particularly within the coffee sector), support mainstreaming adaptation

into integrated water resources management, and promote integrated coastal management with an

emphasis on mangrove protection. Some projects concentrate on the mainstreaming of climate

change adaptation into national-level development plans and foster the needed capacities to manage

climate risks. There is currently a strong emphasis in adaptation-focused projects and programs on

capacity building, impact assessments and policy research; few of the multi-country projects being

implemented in Central America and Mexico have a strong field implementation focus.

Country-specific adaptation projects are also being implemented in a number of countries in the

region, particularly Guatemala and Mexico. Many of these country-specific projects support capacity

building initiatives, general policy support and activities with a territorial and multi-sectoral

approach. Of those projects which can be more easily associated with specific sectors, several deal

with water and some with agriculture, forests, health and coastal zones. Almost all activities focus on

capacity building, policy strengthening or knowledge communication, but a number of newer

projects appear to have a stronger implementation component.

Important funders in the region include the Adaptation Fund, Inter-American Development Bank,

Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations

Environment Programme and the World Bank, as well as bilateral donors such as Germany,

Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

xi Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central America and Mexico

Adaptation communities of practice

Three networks that bring together policy makers, researchers and civil society to build knowledge

related to climate change adaptation have been identified through this review. These are • Red

Temática sobre Adaptación al Cambio Climático y el Rol de Servicios Ecosistématicos en América

Latina; Regional Policy Dialogue: Water and Climate Change Adaptation; and Plataforma Climática

Latinoamericana (Latin American Platform on Climate). Additional formal and informal

communities of practice are likely active in the region.

Needs and gaps

Considerable adaptation action is occurring in Central America and in Mexico. Governments have

implicitly or explicitly prioritized sectors for adaptation through strategic documents such as

National Communications and climate change strategies or policies. They have, to differing degrees,

begun to integrate adaptation considerations into their national and sectoral policies. The seven

Central American states have also developed a regional climate change strategy through SICA. At

the project level, countries are engaged in the implementation of activities that cover a range of

sectors, including agriculture, freshwater, forestry, coastal zones and human health.

Despite this progress, there is still a large gap between identified needs and ongoing action. Major

gaps in the region’s adaptation activities could be identified as follows:

Only a handful of projects exist for specific sectors across the region, suggesting that needs

are only partially being addressed. In the agriculture sector, for example, several ongoing

regional projects address needs related to coffee production. Other crops and the livestock

sector do not appear to be addressed. The freshwater sector needs massive investments and

policy changes, but thus far has only attracted a handful of discrete adaptation projects in the

entire region. Other areas in which a scaling up of action may be needed are the areas of

human health, disaster risk management, human settlements, coastal zones and forests.

Action in some priority sectors appears to be absent, such as hydroelectric energy

production, infrastructure, freshwater fisheries, tourism and transportation. Targeted

programming in these sectors may be warranted.

The gender implications of climate change are only slightly addressed through current

policies and targeted adaptation programming, and could be given more attention through

future actions.

Assessment, research, capacity building and knowledge communication are the primary

focus of current project activities. What appears to be missing is a focus on more specific

actions, including implementation plans and strategic financing. As understanding and

capacity are built, it may be expected that more programming will be directed towards on-

the-ground adaptation work, as appears to be occurring to some extent through country-

specific projects.

1 Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central America and Mexico

Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action:

Central America and Mexico

1.0 Introduction

Lying at the geographical center of the Americas, the Central American isthmus divides the Pacific

and Caribbean Sea and links North America to South America. It contains the countries of Belize,

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. To the north, these Central

American countries share a border with Mexico, which dominates the region in terms of its

geographic expanse, population size and economic strength. Although none of the countries of

Central America and Mexico are classified as being among the least developed countries in the

world, significant economic differences exists within the region. Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico and

Panama are considered to be upper middle income countries and have a high level of human

development. El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua—which are rebuilding following

political instability and climatic disasters—are classified as lower middle income countries with a

lower level of human development (OECD, 2009; UNDP, 2010).

Throughout the region, the countries of Central America and Mexico are engaged in efforts to

prepare for and respond to the potential impacts of climate change. To better understand these

efforts, this report provides a rapid review of current and planned adaptation action within the

region. Based on available resources, it examines: identified priority adaptation needs; efforts by

governments to support

adaptation through policy

and planning; the scope of

international support for

adaptation efforts in

different countries and

sectors; and potential gaps

in adaptation efforts at the

country and regional levels.

The main body of the

report provides an

overview of adaptation

actions at the regional level,

highlighting commonalities

and differences between

Belize, Costa Rica, El

Salvador, Guatemala,

Honduras, Nicaragua and

Figure 1. Map of Mexico and Central America

Source: Natural Resources Canada (2003)


Panama, as well as Mexico. In the appendices that follow, adaptation efforts in each of these

countries is discussed.

2.0 Methodology

A rapid review of current and planned adaptation action in Central America and Mexico—one that

gives attention to policies, programs and projects at the national and regional levels—presents a

considerable task given the breadth of actions that can and are being taken to reduce vulnerability to

the short-, medium- and long-term impacts of climate change. Prior to undertaking this review, it

was therefore necessary to clarify the terms that would be used within it and establish a set of

parameters to limit its scope. This section provides an understanding of the research parameters

established for this rapid review and the process by which the information it contains was gathered.

These guidelines are presented to help clarify what the study does and does not aim to achieve.

Definition of “Adaptation Action”

Adaptation is generally defined as being an “adjustment in natural or human systems in response to

actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial

opportunities.”2 Given the breadth of actions that may be taken which are in keeping with this

definition, a critical first step in initiating the rapid review was determining the definition of

“adaptation action” to be used within it.

This process was influenced by the outcomes of a review of 135 “adaptation” activities undertaken

by McGray et al (2007) that led to identification of three different models of adaptation activity:

Serendipitous adaptation—“activities undertaken to achieve development objectives [that] have

outcomes that incidentally may also support adaptation” (McGray et al, 2007, p. 13). This

type of adaptation reflects the widely acknowledged intimate linkage between sustainable

development and building capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Specifically,

sustainable development can enhance adaptive capacity by strengthening institutions,

promoting sound management of natural resources, improving health and education

systems, promoting gender equity and fostering economic growth.

Climate-proofing of development efforts—where activities are “added to an ongoing development

initiative to ensure its success under a changing climate. In these cases, adaptation is seen as

a means to a development end” (McGray et al, 2007, p. 13); and

Discrete adaptation—where “adaptation to climate change is the primary objective of a project

or initiative. From the beginning, implementers and funders of these efforts have climate

change in mind” (McGray et al, 2007, p. 13).

2 UNFCCC glossary of climate change acronyms: http://unfccc.int/essential_background/glossary/items/3666.php.

http://unfccc.int/essential_background/glossary/items/3666.php


While recognizing the critical role of serendipitous adaptation and climate-proofing of development

efforts in fostering adaptation to climate change in developing countries, a review of all three types

of adaptation activities would be unmanageable. This study therefore focuses on an examination of

discrete adaptation activities. Therefore, adaptation action within the review is defined as policies,

programs and projects designed and implemented specifically to address the current and projected impacts of climate

change. As such, specific reference has been made to supporting adaptation to climate change, and/or

climate risk reduction in the objectives and/or rationale of each policy, program or project included

in the study.

Due to the selection of this definition, the review automatically presents a narrow snapshot of the

wide breadth of activity (often funded though official development assistance3) that is helping

developing countries build adaptive capacity and reduce their vulnerability to the impacts of climate

change. Therefore, the review should not be viewed as fully representative of the entirety of

adaptation action occurring in developing countries—nor of the degree to which vulnerability

reduction is occurring in the countries and regions profiled. Rather, the review aims to contribute to

understanding of the identified adaptation needs and priorities of different countries and regions and

the degree to which discrete adaptation activities are contributing to meeting these needs.

Definition of “Current” Action

To further focus the study, adaptation action have been deemed to be “current” if they were

ongoing or completed in 2009 or later. As such, the review does not include a range of projects

completed prior to 2009 that may have significantly contributed to building local and national

adaptive capacity. This observation is particularly true of adaptation action in the Caribbean and

Pacific; reflecting the early interest and commitment of small island developing states (SIDS) to

understanding and reducing their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, countries in these

regions began to explore adaptation concerns as early as the late 1990s.

While the review’s definition of “current” adaptation action limits the scope of the study, the

volume of discrete adaptation initiatives has accelerated in recent years, as reflected in the following

trends:

Financing for approved projects through the Least Developed Countries Fund has risen

from nearly US$24 million in 2008 to US$177 million as of mid-2011;4

Adaptation financing through the Special Climate Change Fund has increased from 22

projects worth nearly US$90.73 million in 2009 (GEF, 2009) to 31 projects approved for

financing in the amount of US$128 million as of mid-2011;5 and

3 In 2010, official development assistance totaled US$128.7 billion (OECD, 2011)—a level of funding that significantly outstrips that which is currently provided in support of adaptation to climate change. See, for example, SEI and UNEP (2010). 4 GEF, Least Developed Countries Fund website: http://www.thegef.org/gef/ldcf (accessed September, 2011). 5 GEF, Special Climate Change Fund website: http://www.thegef.org/gef/sccf (accessed September, 2011).

http://www.thegef.org/gef/ldcf

http://www.thegef.org/gef/sccf


Financing for adaptation by four Bilateral Financial Institutes increased by 31 per cent from

US$3,029 million in 2008 to US$3,963 million in 2009 (SEI and UNEP, 2010).

Therefore, the review reflects the growing number of adaptation efforts initiated in recent years.

Identification of Projects and Programs

A wide range of climate adaptation related initiatives are underway throughout the world—covering

the gamut from original scientific research that informs our understanding of current and future

climate patterns, to capacity building and knowledge sharing, to the adoption of new planting

practices by farmers, to the building of infrastructure that anticipates future climatic extremes. While

acknowledging this diversity, to better achieve the specific objectives of the review, it has focused on

time-bounded projects that support preparation for and/or implementation of practical adaptation

action. As such, the review does not include projects and programs that focus on:

conducting original scientific research that enhances knowledge of climate change impacts

and development of the tools and techniques for reducing vulnerability;

ongoing, long-term monitoring efforts (whether climatic or socio-economic) that are needed

to inform decision-making;

stand-alone capacity building and knowledge sharing workshops, conferences and training

programs; and

activities solely related to participation in the ongoing international climate change

negotiations.

As well, the review only captures adaptation action financed through international development

assistance; it does not capture adaptation efforts financed solely by national governments. This focus

reflects the original impetus for conducting the review—the current scaling up of adaptation action

and the potential for duplication of effort and limited sharing of good practice—and the challenge

of rapidly identifying nationally funded adaptation projects. This parameter is particularly important

for countries such as Brazil and China, whose governments are engaged in self-driven and self-

funded adaptation efforts that are not included within this review.

Data collection

Projects and programs were primarily identified through a desk-based review of the websites of UN

agencies, bilateral development agencies, multilateral financial institutions, international research

organizations and non-governmental organizations. Reflecting the desire for a rapid review, a

comprehensive examination of all of these organizations was not undertaken; rather an emphasis

was placed on capturing initiatives involving organizations generally recognized as being actively

engaged in fostering climate change adaptation. Additional information regarding current and

planned adaptation action was gathered through an examination of relevant reports.

The process by which data were gathered for inclusion in the review has biased its content. Notably,

it is highly likely that a number of small-scale projects meeting the review’s definition of adaptation


action, particularly those occurring at the community level, have not been captured. As well, the

accuracy of the data captured in the review significantly depends upon the accuracy and

completeness of the internet resources used.

Classification of projects

To support analysis of the degree to which ongoing projects are addressing the priority adaptation

needs of developing countries, identified initiatives have been classified in relation to two general

characterizations—their sector or areas of focus and the types of activities being implemented. For

the sectors or areas in which projects are supporting adaptation action, a classification system

comprised of the following 14 macro project categories was developed: food, fiber and forests;

ecosystems; freshwater resources; oceans and coastal areas; disaster risk management; migration and

security; gender; business; infrastructure; human settlements; human health; climate information

services; governance; and multi-sectoral. These macro project categories were then divided further

to provide a more detailed picture of the types of projects identified through the review. For

example, the macro project category of “food, fiber and forests” was sub-divided into agriculture,

pastoralism, forestry and fire management. Current adaptation projects were then labeled in relation

to one or more of these sub-categories.

For the types of projects being implemented, a shorter list of categories was developed. Current

adaptation projects have been assessed in relation to the degree they support research, assessment,

capacity building, knowledge communication, policy formation and integration, field implementation

and community-based adaptation. A fuller discussion of the project classification system used during

this review is provided at the beginning of the appendices.

Gender analysis

Within the review, assessments of the degree to which gender-sensitive adaptation action are

underway in different countries and regions has focused solely upon the extent to which addressing

gender inequalities is a specified objective of projects and programs. The review did not assess the

degree to which individual projects and programs may or may not have integrated gender issues into

their detailed design.6 Therefore, the gender analysis provided in the review should not be viewed as

fully representative of the degree to which current adaptation action is gender-sensitive.

Assessment of the effectiveness of adaptation action It should also be noted that this rapid review does not assess the quality or effectiveness of the

project and programs it includes. Therefore, the review does not provide a basis upon which to

judge the degree to which completed and ongoing projects have either achieved their stated

objectives and/or made a positive contribution to increasing the ability of a country or region to

adapt to the impacts of climate change. It only provides an indication of the intended outcomes of

6 For example, a project may have as its objective building resilience in the agriculture sector and target farmers in general. As no reference to gender is made in the project’s objectives, it would not be considered a gender-focused adaptation action within the review. This finding would stand even if the detailed design of the project includes having set targets to ensure the involvement of female farmers.


the identified initiatives, the type of action being taken (e.g., capacity building, policy integration and

implementation of practical actions) and their area of focus (e.g., agriculture, water and health).

Scientific Information

Synopsis of projected changes in climate in different countries and regions included in the review are

based primarily on the content of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on

Climate Change (IPCC) and national assessment reports (e.g., National Communications). New

scientific analysis published since the completion of these reports may have both refined and

presented revised understandings of the projected consequences of climate change in different

regions of the world. Therefore, the climate projection sections of the review should be viewed as

indicative of anticipated trends in climatic change at the time of publication of the cited reports.

Qualification of Degree of Adaptation Action

To evaluate and consistently describe the relative level of adaptation activity occurring by country in

each region, a simple benchmarking process has been applied across the review. Using a scale from

zero to “X”, where “X” is equivalent to the number of current adaptation projects underway in the

country in a particular region with the largest number of current projects,7 the scale was divided into

five equivalent quintiles. Each quintile was then assigned a descriptor as follows:

“Very Low” level of adaptation action = 0 to 20 per cent of “X;”

“Low” level of adaptation action = 21 to 40 per cent of “X;”

“Moderate” level of adaptation action = 41 to 60 per cent of “X;”

“High” level of adaptation action = 61 to 80 per cent of “X;” and

“Very High” level of adaptation action = 81 to 100 per cent of “X”.

All countries in the region were allocated to one of these quintiles based on the total number of

current adaptation projects and programs identified through the review.

This benchmark approach enabled a standard methodology to be applied across all 12 regions

examined in the Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action while also recognizing their

individual differences. (For example, the smaller geographies and populations of SIDS suggest that

hosting, for instance, 15 projects might reflect a higher level of activity than what might be possible

for larger and more populated countries.) However, this methodology does not assess the financial

size of individual projects; small projects are given equal weight in comparison to large projects. This

approach also does not account for a country’s comparative geographic size, population, level of

development and other factors that may affect its level of adaptation activity. Therefore, these

contextual influences are discussed within individual country profiles and regional comparisons.

7 In other words, the country in the region with the highest total number of current adaptation projects was identified and used as a benchmark against which to assess performance in all other countries.


Countries and Regions Incorporated in the Review

The following criteria were considered to identify countries to be included in the Review of Current

and Planned Adaptation Action in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean, and

determine their regional allocations:

Inclusion only of non-Annex I Parties to UNFCCC;

Allocation by region in accordance with the classification system used by the United Nations

Statistics Division (UNSD, 2010); and

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development

Assistance Committee’s list of countries eligible to receive official development assistance in

2009 and 2010 (OECD, 2009).

Definition of “Communities of Practice”

Communities of practice traditionally have been defined as “groups of people who share a concern

or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly” (Wenger,

2006). These groups are usually defined by a shared domain of interest and relationships than enable

mutual learning. Broadly speaking, two different types of communities of practice with an interest in

adaptation to climate change may be identified as:

Established communities of practice, usually defined by a sector or issue, which have begun

to integrate consideration of adaptation needs and priorities into their existing knowledge

sharing efforts (e.g., a community of foresters discussing methods of integrating projected

climate risk into their management planning); and

New communities of practice established specifically due to a shared interest in adaptation to

climate change (e.g., community-based adaptation experts).

Of these two broad groupings, the review gives attention only to communities of practice, which

originated due to their shared interest in adaptation to climate change. This includes networks of

non-governmental organizations actively engaged in sharing information regarding climate change.

This focus reflects the greater challenge of identifying and assessing the degree to which the vast

array of traditional associations and networks have begun to integrate adaptation concerns into their

discussions.

Anticipated Reader

Finally, it should be noted that the review has been written in a manner that assumes that its readers

will have a basic understanding of adaptation to climate change. As such it does not provide

definitions of terms such as “National Communication” or “National Adaptation Programmes of

Action.” Nor are explanations of key concepts included, such as “adaptive capacity,”

“mainstreaming,” the relationship between climate change and development, or the challenges

associated with the implementation of adaptation actions at the policy and program levels.


3.0 Climate Projections

Central America and Mexico are located in the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), on a

mostly thin stretch of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Despite its relative

small area, there are marked differences in climatic conditions across the region. The northern part

of Mexico lies in a temperate zone, whereas the rest of the region is tropical and experiences little

annual variation in temperatures. Rainfall in Central America is in large part defined by the mountain

ranges that divide the isthmus into the Caribbean slope, where rain tends to fall all year and more

abundantly, and the Pacific coast, where the year is split into a dry and wet season (CCAD and

SICA, 2010). In Mexico, rainfall is lower in its temperate northern regions (SEMARNAT, 2010).

During the months of July and August, a large part of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean

typically experiences a considerable decline in rainfall due to a phenomenon called mid-summer

drought (MSD). Although the cause of MSD remains unclear to-date, its occurrence is influenced by

El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events (e.g., Gobierno del Estado de Yucatan, n.d; Rauscher

et al, 2008).8 Along with movement of the ITCZ, ENSO is a main cause of inter-annual climate

variation in the region. ENSO is the main cause of droughts, which particularly affect the Dry

Corridor encompassing the Pacific slopes of Central America from Guatemala to northern Costa

Rica. Other hazards, such as heavy rainfall, tropical cyclones and associated risks such as floods and

landslides, also regularly affect the region (CCAD and SICA, 2010; SEMARNAT, 2010).

Within the region, temperature increases of about 0.2° to 0.3°C per decade have been observed over

the last 50 years. Overall annual average rainfall amounts have not altered much within this

timespan, but the spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation has changed. Heavy rainfall

events have increased, and some areas have seen important reductions or increases in average

precipitation (Aguilar et al. 2005). Few studies are available regarding observed changes in sea level

in Central America and Mexico; however, in Panama, increases of 1.3 millimeters per year over the

last century have been observed (Magrin et al., 2007). In Mexico, measurements from eight stations

with a record of at least 30 years suggest that sea levels have increased within a range of 1.1 to 4.2

millimeters per year (SEMARNAT, 2010).

Simulations of future climatic conditions project further increases in temperatures and changes in

precipitation over the remainder of this century. Projections summarized in Christensen et al. (2007)

indicate that regional warming rates could exceed the global average.9 According to the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), climate models simulate an annual mean

warming of 1.8° to 5.0°C within the region by the end of the century.10 The median value for all

8 Rauscher et al. (2008) conclude that with increase in temperatures within the remainder of the century the MSD phenomenon may be prolonged by commencing earlier within the rainy season. 9 Projections presented in Christensen et al. (2007) suggest that mean annual global temperatures will rise by between 1.8°C to 4.0°C by the period of 2090 to 2099 relative to temperatures in 1980 to 1999, based on upon use of the B1 emissions scenario compared to the A1F1 emissions scenario. 10 This projection for the period 2080 to 2099 is based on averages generated by 21 global models in the multi-model data set for the A1B scenario (a medium-high greenhouse gas emissions scenario) and assessed in comparison to a base time period of 1980 to 1999 (Christensen et al.,2007).


models is 3.2°C. Temperature increases are expected to be greatest in the wet season (June to

August). CATHALAC (2008) presents similar projections, based on a wide range of climate

models.11 For the period 2070 to 2099, temperatures are projected to increase by 1.6° to 5°C. Higher

warming rates are expected for the Dry Corridor on the Pacific coast of Central America as well as

for northern Mexico, although projections for these areas are also more uncertain than for other

zones (CATHALAC, 2008). Reports from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin

America and the Caribbean (ECLAC; ECLAC, 2010a) and national governments, in particular

National Communications to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

(UNFCCC), tend to confirm the scale and spatial variation of projected temperature increases.

Rainfall projections are more uncertain, but multi-model datasets suggest a general reduction in

precipitation over most of Central America. Under the A1B scenario (medium-high emission of

greenhouse gases), rainfall decreases of 9 per cent by the end of the century are projected; the full

range of projections under this scenario extends from a decline of 48 per cent to an increase of nine

percent. The negative trend is similar for all seasons in Central America; but in some parts of north-

eastern Mexico and over the eastern Pacific, summer precipitation could increase due to an intra-

annual shift in the ITCZ (Christensen et al., 2007). CATHALAC (2008) also projects a general

reduction in precipitation over the region, with the highest reductions expected to occur in

Nicaragua. However, using statistical downscaling techniques to regionalize simulations with the

Hadley CM3 model, precipitation would be expected to increase in Costa Rica and Panama while

decreasing elsewhere. National reports, including National Communications, confirm the high levels

of uncertainty around precipitation projections, but are broadly in line with the regional projections

mentioned above.

Yet more difficult to project are changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

According to Magrin et al. (2007), many studies do indicate that extreme weather events will occur

more frequently in the future. Simulations from Christensen et al. (2007), based on the A1B

scenario, indicate that a higher number of very hot days and more dry extremes may occur in the

entire region. CATHALAC (2008) undertook projections for cyclonic activity under the A2 (high

emissions) scenario, using the PRECIS model,12 and found that while events may become more

intense, their frequency will not vary significantly. It should be noted, however, that the

methodological foundations for such projections are still weak (Smith et al., 2010).

With respect to other projected changes, sea level rise is expected to continue. Applying a regional

adjustment to the global projections by Meehl et al. (2007),13 McSweeney et al. (2008) predict a 0.18

11 As in the IPCC’s Third Assessment Report, these models include those produced by the Hadley Centre, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Center for Climate System Research and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. 12 PRECIS ("Providing Regional Climates for Impacts Studies") is a regional climate modelling system developed by the Hadley Centre within the United Kingdom’s Met Office. For more information, see: http://precis.metoffice.com/ 13 IPCC emissions scenarios present a range of sea level rise predictions, based on various emissions scenarios, and resulting from thermal expansion of the oceans and land ice changes. On one end of the spectrum, under the B1

http://precis.metoffice.com/


to 0.43 meter increase by the 2090s using the B1 (low emission) scenario and 0.23 to 0.56 meter for

the A2 (high emission) scenario, relative to 1980 to 1999 sea‐levels.

The high levels of uncertainty associated with climate projections for Central America and Mexico,

especially for rainfall and extreme events, are related to the inability of current Global Circulation

Models (GCMs) to project changes in hydrological cycles at regional scales (Magrin et al., 2007).

Regional Climate Models (RCMs) on the other hand, have not been used extensively in Central

America and Mexico as they are still being tested and developed. Furthermore, even if the broad

regional trends can be projected with some certainty, the local climate may differ markedly from

regional averages. This is especially true for mountain areas, where changes in atmospheric

circulation can induce large variability at the local scale. Local climatic conditions are also influenced

by factors such as land use change, including the conversion of forest cover to agricultural land.

Another problem related to precipitation is that tropical storms can contribute significantly to

rainfall in the hurricane season, but such changes are not well captured by current climate models

(Christensen et al., 2007). These challenges increase uncertainty ranges and prevent scientists from

being able to make definitive statements regarding future climate trends.

Despite these limitations, it is possible to state that current warming trends are expected to continue

at a pace above the global average in Central America and Mexico, with possibly more pronounced

warming in Central America’s Dry Corridor and in northern Mexico. Precipitation levels will

probably decrease on average, but may increase in countries such as Costa Rica and Panama and

some regions of Mexico. Extreme events, especially hot and dry extremes, will probably become

more frequent, adding to the risks associated with current hydro-meteorological hazards. Cyclonic

activity could become more intense but not more frequent, although these projections are very

uncertain. Sea levels will continue to rise.

Due to their geographic location on a narrow band of land between two oceans and within the

ITCZ, Central America and Mexico are naturally exposed to adverse climate conditions. The

sensitivity of human and ecological systems turns this exposure into important climate risks. Indices

already recognize the region as highly vulnerable to climatic hazards (e.g. Harmeling, 2010). Climate

change is increasing the risk of economic, ecological and human losses. Many ecosystems, such as

cloud forests and mangroves, are already undergoing measurable changes. Water scarcity in many

regions will be exacerbated by increasing temperatures, potential reductions in average rainfall as

well as more unequal intra-annual distribution of precipitation. Agriculture—a key livelihood for

many inhabitants of the region—depends on water availability and will also be impacted directly

through changes in temperatures and sea level rise. Although the population is not particularly

concentrated on the coasts, many important ecological and economic assets are at risk from sea level

emissions scenario of the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (2001), global sea levels are expected to rise from between 0.18 meters to 0.38 meters over the course of the century. On the opposite end of the spectrum, emissions scenario A1F1 predicts a global sea level rise of between 0.25 meters and 0.6 meters over the same time period. There is still a significant amount of uncertainty in these projections, as records on sea level rise remain relatively short and there are uncertainties relating to the loss of land ice (Meehl et al., 2007).


rise. Health may also be affected, such as through heat strokes or the more rapid spread of vector-

borne diseases (Magrin et al., 2007).

4.0 Needs and Priorities in Central America and Mexico

Through National Communications submitted to the UNFCCC, climate change strategies, actions

plans and other documents, Central American and Mexican governments have identified their

adaptation needs. Few have explicitly prioritized sectors and actions, but this process implicitly has

taken place through selecting sectors for vulnerability assessments or by presenting a given set of

adaptation measures. As noted in Table 1, agriculture and food security, as well as freshwater

resources, are key sectors of concern for all countries. Coastal zones, human health, biodiversity and

forests are each highlighted by seven out of eight countries. Fisheries, energy, infrastructure,

tourism, human settlements, transport and risk management are mentioned by one to a few

countries.

Countries also highlight interventions which are not sector-specific. These include: better coverage

of weather stations and better climatological information and projections; early warning systems and

response capacity; institutional change and policies to create an enabling environment for proposed

specific measures; mainstreaming of climate change into development and sectoral planning;

education and awareness campaigns; and increased citizen participation in adaptation processes.

Resource-Dependent Economic Sectors: Agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry

In Central America, agriculture and agroindustry earn an average of 18 per cent of national Gross

Domestic Product (GDP) (excluding Belize), and 35 per cent of its foreign exchange (ECLAC,

2010a). Moreover, the agricultural sector, including livestock, fisheries and forestry, is the main

source of employment and food security for large parts of the regional population, and is especially

important for vulnerable communities. However, there has been limited capital investment in these

sectors and productivity growth is low (ECLAC, 2010a). Environmental degradation is also affecting

the growing conditions for crops and forests in Central America (Magrin et al., 2007), further

increasing the region’s potential vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. In Mexico, a

significantly lower proportion of GDP is generated from agriculture and agroindustry

(SEMARNAT, 2007). However, the sector remains a source of employment for about 15 per cent

of the population (USDS, 2010), with about half of Mexico’s farmers engaging in subsistence

agriculture (USDA, 2009).

Considering the rapidly increasing populations of many countries of the region,14 there is a need for

improving agricultural productivity. Yet the sector is very vulnerable to changes in temperature,

rainfall and extreme weather, as numerous studies indicate. According to ECLAC (2010a), overall

14 With estimated growth rates of 2.056 per cent, 1.986 per cent and 1.888 per cent, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras respectively have the highest population growth rates in the region. The lowest growth rates are in Mexico (1.102 per cent), Nicaragua (1.088 per cent) and El Salvador (0.318 per cent) (CIA, 2011).


crop productivity could decrease by up to 10 per cent by 2100, taking climate change into account.

National crop studies summarized in Magrin et al. (2007) project yield reductions for various crops,

especially for rice, maize and coffee. In Nicaragua, for instance, it is projected that 30 to 50 per cent

of the areas currently highly or moderately suitable for coffee production will become unsuitable15

by 2050, resulting in a decrease in coffee yields and a reduction in coffee exports (CIAT, 2008).

Projected (and actual) impacts depend on many variables, including location, emission scenarios,

rainfall projections, soil characteristics and agricultural practices. Projected declines in agricultural

production may encourage greater migration from rural to urban areas. In Mexico, for instance, it

has been demonstrated that for every 10 per cent decline in crop yields, an additional 2 per cent of

the population emigrates. Based upon this existing trend and taking into account future climate

projections, it is projected that 1.4 to 6.7 million adult Mexicans will emigrate from the country in

approximately the year 2080 due to declines in crop yields alone (Feng et al., 2010).

The livestock subsector is anticipated to be impacted by climate change through reduced food

availability and nutrition, but also directly through heat stress and other weather conditions. In

Mexico, for instance, it is expected that heat stress for animals will increase significantly as

temperatures increase (SEMARNAT, 2010), potentially adversely affecting production of dairy and

meat products. Across the region, livestock productivity could be reduced by up to 13 per cent by

2100 (ECLAC, 2010a). Similarly, marine ecosystems are affected by changes in ocean temperatures

and currents (SEMARNAT, 2010). However, many of the impacts on livestock and fisheries are still

not well understood.

15 In contrast, increases in suitability are projected for the Condega, Esteli and western Dipilto areas. The study concludes that loss in precipitation is the most important factor that negatively affects coffee production, thus coffee production will be more suitable in areas that incur loss in precipitation at a lesser extent by 2050.

Table 1: Comparison of priority sectors for adaptation as identified by Central American countries and Mexico through

their National Communications and other strategic documents

Agriculture

& Food

Security

Water

Resources

Biodiversity

& Forestry

Coastal

zones Energy

Human

health Other Priorities

Belize Tourism, fisheries

Costa Rica Infrastructure

El Salvador

Guatemala Infrastructure

Honduras Risk management

Mexico Fisheries, settlements,

transport, tourism

Nicaragua

Panama


Finally, forests and ecosystems in general are also particularly vulnerable to climatic changes.

Tropical cloud forests, for instance, may not survive warming of 1° or 2°C (Magrin et al., 2007).

Ecosystems boundaries may shift significantly, as an assessment in Nicaragua’s first National

Communication shows (República de Nicaragua, 2001).

In their strategic documents, countries have developed a range of suggestions for adaptation

measures for agriculture. They include: research and development; improved or new crop varieties;

soil conservation techniques; resistant seeds; agricultural diversification; improved and more efficient

water supply and irrigation; harvest forecasts, early warning systems and food surveillance systems;

studies, prevention and reduction of climate change-induced plagues and diseases; organizational,

commercial, technological, financial, normative and territorial measures to vitalize the food

production chain; economic policy measures to stimulate grain production; farming investment;

insurance; measures to ensure food security and nutrition; and sustainable land use and land use

planning.

For fisheries, Mexico deems a precautionary approach to fisheries management, the protection of

endangered species, capturing new species—as well as improved technical, administrative,

organizational and social education—as indispensable for the sector to confront climate change

(SEMARNAT, 2010). Belize conducted a climate risk assessment for fisheries and aquaculture, in

which adaptation measures for shrimp farming, tilapia and cobia cage cultures are described. They

include measures such as mainstreaming adaptation into environmental impact assessments,

preservation of mangroves, zoning schemes, improved ponds and cages, and insurance mechanisms

(Gillett and Myvette, 2008).

Among the measures proposed by many countries for adaptation of ecosystems and forestry are:

conservation and protection of the function, structure and composition of ecosystems and forests;

protection and reforestation; prevention of forest loss from fires and plagues; management of

protected areas and elaboration of plans for participative management; and the promotion of

traditional and ancestral practices for natural resources use and management.

Water and Energy

Water is considered a priority sector for adaptation by all Central American countries and Mexico.

The region depends almost entirely on rainfall for its water supply, so the temporal and spatial

distribution of precipitation matters for ecosystems, agriculture, human consumption and other

sectors. Climate variability and change can affect both the quantity and quality of available water

through changing rainfall patterns and extreme events. Large parts of the region already experience

water stress today. This is particularly true for the Dry Corridor which covers most of the Pacific

coast including the northern half of Mexico, and from Guatemala to Costa Rica (Magrin et al., 2007;

SEMARNAT, 2009). Here and throughout the region, millions of people lack access to safe water

supplies; water quantity and quality are deteriorating due to inappropriate agricultural practices; and

increasing populations are leading to a growing demand for water (Magrin et al., 2007). Considering


that climate scenarios project higher temperatures and less rainfall, these existing sources of

vulnerability make the likelihood of greater water stress in the future perhaps the single most

important climate change related risk for the region.

There are many ideas on how to reduce water related risks in Central America and Mexico. In their

strategic documents, countries propose measures such as: scientific studies on hydrology and

climatology, and technology research on efficient water use; integrated water resources management

and watershed adaptation and protection (including decentralized management, riverbank protection

and preventing deforestation); water capture, wells and aqueducts, treatment and storage; exploring

alternative water sources; strengthening groundwater recharge; sanitation; water conservation and

demand management; improved and more efficient irrigation; land use management; solid and liquid

waste management; flood protection and early warning systems; developing and strengthening water

use plans and legal frameworks; policies that improve living conditions in watersheds; and strategic

exchanges with other countries in the region.

Four countries—Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and Panama—also see energy as a key adaptation

area, mainly in connection with water availability for hydropower production, but also in relation to

fossil fuels. Policy documents such as the Costa Rican Climate Change Strategy (MINAET, 2007)

call for measures that help to secure electricity supply, public and private investment, modernize the

sector to improve competitiveness, and promote energy efficiency. Honduras calls for efforts to

facilitate adaptation of hydropower plants to changing conditions of water availability (SERNA,

2011). Mexico aims to consider changing climatic conditions in power plant design and plans to

establish weather and climate monitoring and forecasting systems to support utility managers

(SEMARNAT, 2010). And Panama wants to promote alternative sources of renewable energy

(República de Panama, 2001).

Coastal Zones

Mexico and all Central American countries except Guatemala consider coastal areas a priority for

adaptation. El Salvador, for instance, expects very negative effects from sea level rise in the form of

loss of agricultural land, pastures, areas with human settlements and infrastructure due to its low-

lying coastline. Even with a modest sea level rise of 13 centimeters, 141 square kilometers of land

would be lost. Under a pessimistic scenario with a 1.1 meter sea level rise, this number would go up

to over 400 square kilometers. Around one third of these areas are agricultural lands (MARN, 2000).

In Mexico, some states could lose several percentage points of their surface if sea levels rose by one

meter, with Quintana Roo ranking highest with almost 10 per cent area loss (SEMARNAT, 2010).

Honduras is worried about the loss of beaches and threats to coastal and marine biodiversity

(SERNA, 2011). Salt and shrimp production in El Salvador could be negatively affected due to

flooding. Ecosystems, in particular mangroves, are also heavily threatened, not least because of an

increase in salinity (MARN, 2000). Other countries have identified comparable vulnerabilities.


In order to address these vulnerabilities, many countries deem it necessary to conduct further

studies. In their strategic documents, they propose generic adaptation options such as retreat from

vulnerable areas; protection of vulnerable ecosystems, for example through reforestation of

mangroves; and integrated marine and coastal ecosystems management. Mexico has identified more

specific measures for one state, Campeche, such as maintaining the flow of water and sediments

from rivers to avoid coastal erosion; extending natural buffer zones for urban and tourist areas

against hurricanes and floods; relocation of settlement in vulnerable areas; sustainable soil

management and water use in river deltas; protecting coastal wetlands, providing space for

ecosystem shifts; reforestation with resilient species; and strengthening controls on contamination of

corals and mangroves (SEMARNAT, 2010).

Human Health

Health has been considered an important sector for adaptation by almost all countries. There are

worries that higher temperatures and changing rainfall could affect the prevalence of acute diarrhea

and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue (e.g. SEMARNAT, 2010). Heat stress,

respiratory diseases, health problems from surface ozone concentrations, cholera and other water-

borne diseases are further concerns, as are increased mortality and morbidity due to extreme events

such as coastal floods or droughts. Responses such as human migration can further increase risk by,

for example, facilitating the spread of vectors (Magrin et al., 2007).

Health measures to counter climatic risks proposed by Central American countries and Mexico

include: vulnerability studies, which are almost non-existent today; better statistics, monitoring and

projections on health indicators; integration of climate risk factors into epidemiological surveillance;

early warning systems; and better sanitation.

5.0 Assessment of Adaptation Action in Central America and Mexico

To address the climate change adaptation needs and priorities they have identified, Central American

countries and Mexico have developed and are engaged in implementing a range of strategies and

actions at the regional and national levels. They are also participating in activities with global reach.

5.1 Regional Level Action

To support adaptation to climate change, Central America and Mexico are engaged in intra-regional

initiatives at the policy and program level. Although none of these initiatives involves all countries in

the region, many involve a high proportion of them. Most countries participate in more regional or

global projects than national activities.


Regional policy actions

Probably the most significant intergovernmental forum for policy action on climate change in the

region is the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), which

brings together environmental ministries of the Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (SICA),

or Central American Integration System. All seven Central American countries, but not Mexico, are

members of SICA. The member states of SICA have developed a climate change strategy to support

regional cooperation on this issue. Released in 2010, the strategy summarizes climate information

and sectoral vulnerabilities and proposes six strategic areas of focus. One of these areas is themed

“Vulnerability and adaptation to climate variability and change, and risk management.”16 Nine

strategic objectives with over 150 measures relating to disaster risk reduction, agriculture and food

security, forest ecosystems and biodiversity, water, health, coastal-marine systems, tourism,

indigenous people and public infrastructure are mentioned under this theme (CCAD and SICA,

2010). Since the strategy was only published in 2010, it has been incorporated into few national

strategic documents and the extent to which states will follow its directions is not yet clear.

Another prominent intergovernmental initiative involving all the Spanish- and Portuguese- speaking

countries of the Latin America and Caribbean region is the Ibero-American Network of Climate

Change Offices (RIOCC), which was created in 2004 by the environment ministers of the Central

American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama;

Mexico; the Caribbean states of the Dominican Republic and Cuba; the South American countries

of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela; as

well as Spain and Portugal. RIOCC provides a regional platform for knowledge exchange, capacity

building and the promotion of regional adaptation projects. Spain coordinates the network and

funds most of its activities. RIOCC is recognized by the Nairobi Work Programme on Impacts,

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change (NWP) as an official partner organization (RIOCC,

2008).

In order to help countries improve their understanding and assessment of impacts, vulnerability and

adaptation, and to make informed decisions on practical adaptation actions, the “Ibero-American

Programme on Adaptation to Climate Change” (PIACC) was developed through RIOCC. PIACC

specifically aims to: improve institutional frameworks; synergize with regional adaptation initiatives

and agencies; support climate research and systematic observation; promote the exchange of

knowledge, experiences, tools and methods for evaluating impacts, vulnerability and adaptation;

promote the development of adaptation projects in key sectors, with an emphasis on trans-border

and multi-sectoral activities; inform and communicate PIACC’s work; and elaborate assessment

reports on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation. PIACC’s activities are aligned with the NWP

(RIOCC, 2008).

16 The other strategic areas are: mitigation; capacity building; education, awareness raising, communication and participation; technology transfer; and international negotiations and management (CCAD and SICA, 2010)


Through the framework of PIACC, Spain and other donors support a number of regional activities

such as capacity building workshops on climate scenarios as well as on the integration of adaptation

into development policies and projects, and research programs on coastal zones and forestry (see

Table 2 below). In addition, a cooperation agreement was signed with UN International Strategy for

Disaster Reduction in 2008 in order to promote the exchange of know-how and experiences

between disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change and to integrate both issues within

regional and UNFCCC processes. Under this agreement, capacity building, institutional

strengthening, coordination and communication activities have been pursued in various RIOCC

countries.

As well, Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and hosts the Caribbean

Community Climate Change Center (CCCCC). The Center has helped Belize and other Caribbean

states develop climate change assessments and strategies through a series of capacity building

projects.

Project and program actions

A number of adaptation projects and programs covering two or more countries in the region are

current underway or recently completed, as shown in Table 2. These include projects focused

exclusively on addressing concerns within the region of Central America and Mexico that target

specific sectors. Two of these projects focus on the implications of climate change for coffee

production, a key export crop for several Central American countries. A further project aims at

mainstreaming adaptation into integrated water resources management. Another promotes

integrated coastal management with an emphasis on mangrove protection. As well, ECLAC is

executing the second phase of its Economics of Climate Change project. Covering several sectors,

including agriculture, the project is providing an economic valuation of impacts and a discussion of

adaptation options.

Several other activities also include Latin American countries from outside the region of Central

America and Mexico. For instance, there is: a capacity building initiative funded by the United

Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that extends its “Capacity Development for Policy

Makers to Address Climate Change” projects exclusively within Latin America and the Caribbean;

research projects on coastal-marine systems and on forestry executed within the PIACC framework;

and an adaptation program being initiated by the U.S. Peace Corps that has a focus on community-

based adaptation in a number of countries of the hemisphere.

Central American countries and Mexico are also participating in various global initiatives. These

include several UNDP projects focused on mainstreaming climate change into development

planning and capacity building for governments and UNDP country offices, such as the “Climate

Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project.” Several countries of the region also

participated in the first phase of the Red Cross’ “Preparedness for Climate Change” program. The

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is funding a public-private


partnership initiative on adaptation for small coffee and tea producers called “Adaptation for

Smallholders to Climate Change” (AdapCC).

As well, there are extra-regional or global activities in which only one country of this region

participates:

Belize has taken part in a series of adaptation activities of CARICOM’s CCCCC, most

recently in the “Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change”17 project, which aims to

build capacities in risk identification, vulnerability reduction, and resource access; it also

promotes education and outreach as well as project management. Belize also hosts the

CCCCC itself. As well, Belize is participating in: the “Global Climate Change Alliance,”18 a

project financed by the European Union that supports projects focused on disaster risk

reduction and integrating climate change into poverty reduction efforts; and “CARIBSAVE

Climate Change Risk Atlas: Phase 1,”19 a project involving 15 countries from the Caribbean

region focused on identifying the potential consequences of climate change for sectors

related to tourism and livelihoods.

Mexico participates in a health-related project called “Regional Instruments for Adaptation

to Climate Change by the Health Sector,”20 which aims to create mechanisms to broaden

knowledge of current and future impacts of climate on health in the population and is also

implemented in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay.

Nicaragua is one of over 26 countries that participate in UNDP’s “Boots on the Ground”

initiative,21 which aims at: strengthening the capacities of government agencies for policy

support on climate change, while promoting perspectives and frameworks that encourage a

better integration of development and climate change agendas; empowering governments to

articulate their needs in negotiations; and advising them on the steps to transform economies

to low emission, climate resilient development.

Most projects are stand-alone initiatives, although some are part of larger programs or cooperation

agreement. The European Commission, for instance, launched the EUROCLIMA program to

cooperate with all of Latin America on climate change. It co-funded the Review of the Economics

of Climate Change in Central America (see Table 2) and will support further activities. Moreover,

Spain funds the Regional Gateway for Technology Transfer and Climate Change Action

(REGATTA) initiative, which is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

REGATTA aims mainly to improve knowledge management and information exchange throughout

Latin America and the Caribbean, such as through the establishment of regional centers of

excellence on climate knowledge and technologies.

17 CARICOM, http://www.caricom.org/jsp/projects/macc%20project/macc.jsp?menu=projects 18 GCCA, http://www.gcca.eu/pages/1_2-Home.html 19 CARIBSAVE, http://www.caribsave.org/index.php?id=5; and DFID, http://projects.dfid.gov.uk/project.aspx?Project=201634 20 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/topics/regional-integration/project-information,3072.html?id=RG-T1681 21 UNDP, http://www.undp.org/gef/documents/newsletters/Pacific_Brief_September2010.pdf

http://www.caricom.org/jsp/projects/macc%20project/macc.jsp?menu=projects

http://www.gcca.eu/pages/1_2-Home.html

http://www.caribsave.org/index.php?id=5

http://projects.dfid.gov.uk/project.aspx?Project=201634

http://www.iadb.org/en/topics/regional-integration/project-information,3072.html?id=RG-T1681

http://www.undp.org/gef/documents/newsletters/Pacific_Brief_September2010.pdf


This review of current adaptation projects indicates that there currently is a strong emphasis in

adaptation focused projects and programs on capacity building, impact assessments and policy

research. UNDP in particular has, through several initiatives, supported the mainstreaming of

climate change adaptation into national-level development plans and fostered the needed capacities

to manage climate risks. Only three of the 18 multi-country initiatives identified through this review

explicitly include implementation of adaptation options as an objective: a coastal zone management

project funded by UNEP and Spain (“Integrated Coastal Management with Special Emphasis on the

Sustainable Management of Mangrove Forests in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua”); the U.S.

Peace Corps program; and AdapCC.

A review of the content of Table 2 also shows that ongoing adaptation activity covers some of the

adaptation needs identified by countries but leaves important gaps. In agriculture, for instance, while

coffee is addressed by three projects, other crops and livestock are barely dealt with through regional

adaptation projects. For water, coasts and forests, the needs are also much larger than what is being

met through existing projects. No project developed for the region of Central America and Mexico

has been identified for energy, health, fisheries, human settlements, transport and tourism, which are

among the region’s priority sectors for action.

An imbalance with respect to participation by countries may also be observed. The current findings

suggest that Nicaragua is participating in 16 regional or global initiatives, while Guatemala is

participating in 13; Honduras is taking part in 12; Costa Rica in 11; El Salvador in nine; Mexico in

seven; Panama in six and Belize in five. Most of this variation may be explained by country size, low

development status and high vulnerability. Belize’s low participation is probably due to its political

affiliation to both Central America and the Caribbean. The mainly English-speaking country

participates in a number of adaptation activities of CARICOM.

Of course, the activities listed below do not give a full account of adaptation-relevant action. First, a

number of smaller-scale projects may have been omitted due to a lack of available information.

Second, in many sectors there is a large overlap between adaptation and development action, so that

many initiatives that contribute to increasing adaptive capacity—but are not labeled as adaptation

projects—are not included within this review. These initiatives include those related to sustainable

agriculture, integrated watershed management, or improved access to health care services.

Further adaptation projects and programs are being proposed for future implementation. The

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) plans to undertake food security and

coastal zone adaptation programs covering Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras

and Panama. The food security program will work to reduce disaster risks and vulnerability to

climate shocks by improving climatic information and early-warning systems. The focus of the

coastal zone adaptation project has not yet been specified further. The United States Department of

State (USDS) also is planning a new adaptation program through its Energy and Climate Partnership

for the Americas, which will cover a range of Latin American and Caribbean countries, including


Belize. Programs such as EUROCLIMA and REGATTA mentioned above are set to develop new

activities. There are without doubt further planned activities that have not been identified here that

will contribute to adaptation in the region.

Table 2: Current regional actions in Central America and Mexico

Name Objectives Participating

Countries

Project Details

Regional Initiatives

Agriculture

1.

Effective Adaptation

Strategies and Risk

Reduction towards

Economic and Climatic

Shocks: Lessons

from the coffee crisis in

Meso-America22

This project looks at how farmers are

responding to these threats, in order to

develop strategies and tools for

vulnerable coffee growers facing the

effects of global change. A range of

methods, including participatory tools,

are applied to gather data.

Costa Rica,

Guatemala,

Honduras, and

Mexico

Funder(s) Inter-American

Institute for

Global Change

Research

Total Budget US$579,987

Implementing

Agency(s)

Universidad del

Valle de

Guatemala

Duration 2006–2011

Project Type Research

Focus Area Agriculture

2.

Coffee Under Pressure:

Climate change and

adaptation in

Mesoamerica23

Evaluating the impact of climate change

on coffee in Central America and

identifying viable adaptation options for

rural communities

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Mexico, Nicaragua

Funder(s) Green Mountain

Coffee Roasters

Total Budget

Implementing

Agency(s)

CIAT


Project Type Assessment

Focus Area Agriculture

Water

3.

Climate Change

Adaptation and

Integration into

Integrated Water

Resource

Management24

Water resource managers and

communities in general, are able to

improve their capacity to integrate

climate change adaptation into their local

development plans, using their own local

knowledge enhancement and individual

capacity building.

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

Funder(s) UNEP

Total Budget

Implementing

Agency(s)

UNEP, CATIE,

CATHALAC


Project Type Capacity

building; Policy

formation and

integration

22 IAI, http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/CRN2/Factsheets/CRN2_60.pdf and http://www.iai.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=68 23 CIAT, http://dapa.ciat.cgiar.org/cup-coffee-under-pression-adaptacion-del-cafe-al-cambio-climatico-en-centroamerica 24 UNEP, http://www.cep.unep.org/meetings-events/5th-lbs-istac/5th_lbs_istac_documents/cathalac-2009-climate-change-adaptation-in-iwrm-en.pdf

http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/CRN2/Factsheets/CRN2_60.pdf

http://dapa.ciat.cgiar.org/cup-coffee-under-pression-adaptacion-del-cafe-al-cambio-climatico-en-centroamerica




Countries

Project Details

Focus Area Freshwater

supply

Coastal zones

4.

Integrated Coastal

Management with

Special Emphasis on the

Sustainable

Management of

Mangrove Forests in

Guatemala, Honduras

and Nicaragua25

Promote the sustainable use of marine

and coastal resources through the

development of integrated coastal

management plans at the national and

local levels; strengthen national capacity

for implementing integrated coastal

management, including the sustainable

management of mangroves; support

sustainable livelihoods of coastal

communities that depend on coastal

ecosystems, including mangroves, coral

reefs and seagrass beds, protect

coastlines against erosion and extreme

weather events, protect coral reefs and

seagrass beds from siltation, and enhance

the role of mangroves in trapping

sediments; maintain mangroves as

nurseries for fisheries and habitats for

biodiversity.

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

Funder(s) UNEP, Spain

Total Budget

Implementing

Agency(s)

UNEP, Ministries

of Environment

and Fisheries



building; Policy

formation and

integration; Field

implementation

Focus Area Coastal zone

management

Multi-sectoral

5.

The Economics of

Climate Change in

Central America–Phase

II26

In the second phase of this project an

economic evaluation of the impacts of

climate change in Central America will be

undertaken. The aims of the project are

to foster a dialogue on different national

actions and policy options in order that

Central America can meet the climate

change challenge. In addition, this project

includes a component focused on the

impact of climate change in coastal

areas–C3A (Cambio Climatico en las

Costas de America Latina y Caribe).

Belize, Costa Rica,

El Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua, Panama

Funder(s) IADB, U.K.,

Denmark, Spain,

EU, Germany

Total Budget

Implementing

Agency(s)

ECLAC, CCAD,

SIECA


Project Type Policy formation

and integration;

Knowledge

communication

Focus Area Government;

Coastal zone

management

Participation in Latin America and the Caribbean Projects

6.

Peace Corps Renewable

Energy and Climate

Change Initiative27

Across the Americas the Peace Corps will,

among other things, increase municipal,

school and communities’ awareness and

Costa Rica,

Dominican

Republic, El

Funder(s) U.S. Department

of State

Total Budget

25 SIAGUA, http://www.siagua.org/?pid=4000&id=13901&tipo=noticias 26 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html 27 Peace Corps, http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives.php?lan=eng&initiative_id=12

http://www.siagua.org/?pid=4000&id=13901&tipo=noticias

http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html

http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives.php?lan=eng&initiative_id=12



Countries

Project Details

knowledge of climate change (including

adaptation) and support community-led

projects, including on adaptation.

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Guyana, Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama, Paraguay,

Peru, Suriname

Implementing

Agency(s)

U.S. Peace

Corps, U.S.

Department of

State

Duration ongoing

Project Type Community-

based

adaptation;

Knowledge

communication

Focus Area Energy

7.

Climate Change

Vulnerability Evaluation

of Coastal and Marine

Areas28

This project is part of the “Ibero-

American Programme on the Evaluation

of Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation

to Climate Change” (PIACC) and aims to

determine the impacts of climate change

on the coasts of any Spanish and

Portuguese speaking country of Latin

America and the Caribbean. It has a

particular focus on the dynamics of

beaches, estuaries, lagoons, deltas, cliffs

and dunes, coastal erosion, flood risks

and coastal infrastructure. This initiative is

linked to the project “Economics of

Climate Change in Central America - Phase

II”29 funded by IADB, UK, Denmark, Spain,

EU and Germany.

Most RIOCC

countries,30

including all in

Central America

Funder(s) Spain

Total Budget

Implementing

Agency(s)

ECLAC,

University of

Cantabria,

national

counterparts



building;

Assessment;

Knowledge

communication

Focus Area Coastal zone

management

8.

Mitigation and

Adaptation to Climate

Change in Sustainable

Forest Management in

Ibero-America31

Part of the PIACC program, this project

aims to generate new information and

knowledge and strengthen the capacity

of research institutions in the forestry

sector on linking sustainable forest

management with adaptation and

mitigation to climate change. This

includes strengthening specific research

activities, developing and disseminating

methodologies and case studies,

strengthening human resources and

fostering the representation of the forest

sector in the regional and international

RIOCC countries Funder(s) Spain

Total Budget

Implementing

Agency(s)

INIA, CIFOR,

CATIE,

Polytechnic

University of

Madrid (UPM)



building;

Research;

Knowledge

28 RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm 29 See ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html 30 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. Paraguay and Uruguay are not involved in this initiative. 31 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/


http://www.proyectomia.com/



Countries

Project Details

dialogue. communication

Focus Area Forestry

9.

Understanding

Potential Impacts of

Climate Change in Latin

America and the

Caribbean32

The overall objective of this project is to

improve the ability of Latin American and

Caribbean countries to adapt to, and

cope with, the economic impacts of

climate change on development.

Latin America and

the Caribbean

(countries not

specified)

Funder(s) ECLAC

Total Budget

Implementing

Agency(s)

ECLAC

Duration ongoing


building

Focus Area Government

10.

Climate Policy 2012:

Extension of the global

project “Capacity

Development for Policy

Makers to Address

Climate Change”33

The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin

America and the Caribbean has expanded

on the global project, “Capacity

Development for Policy Makers to

Address Climate Change” in the LAC

region to provide technical support to

national policy makers and its Country

Offices and strengthen capacity on

budgetary issues related to the post-2012

climate regime. Activities include

technical backstopping for countries that

begin to consider adaptation to climate

change in their National Development

Plans.

Argentina, Bolivia,

Brazil, Chile,

Colombia, Costa

Rica, Cuba,

Dominican

Republic, Ecuador,

El Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras, Mexico,

Nicaragua,

Panama, Paraguay,

Peru, Uruguay, and

Venezuela

Funder(s) Spain, UNDP

Total Budget US$3.6 million

Implementing

Agency(s)

UNDP



building; Policy

formation and

integration


11.

EUROCLIMA: Climate

change regional

cooperation

programme34

EUROCLIMA aims to provide Latin

American decision-makers and the

scientific community with better

knowledge of climate change and its

consequences, particularly in view of

integrating these issues into sustainable

development strategies. The expected

results are: enhanced policy dialogue on

climate change issues; better sharing of

data and scientific information; and

strengthened technical capacities.

Latin America Funder(s) European

Commission

Total Budget €5 million

Implementing

Agency(s)

National

governments



building;

Knowledge

communication


32Further information available here: http://www.eclac.org/cgi-bin/getProd.asp?xml=/cooperacion/noticias/cooperacion/1/41221/P41221.xml&xsl=/cooperacion/tpl/p32f.xsl&base=/cooperacion/tpl/top-bottom.xsl 33 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf 34 Further information available here: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/latin-america/regional-cooperation/euroclima/index_en.htm

http://www.eclac.org/cgi-bin/getProd.asp?xml=/cooperacion/noticias/cooperacion/1/41221/P41221.xml&xsl=/cooperacion/tpl/p32f.xsl&base=/cooperacion/tpl/top-bottom.xsl



http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx

http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf

http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/latin-america/regional-cooperation/euroclima/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/latin-america/regional-cooperation/euroclima/index_en.htm



Countries

Project Details

12.

Integrating Climate

Change Adaptation into

National Development

Processes in Latin

America and the

Caribbean

Build climate resilience of vulnerable

human and ecological systems in the

region by integrating adaptation options

into national planning processes and

building the associated capacity of key

regional and national institutions. The

project will: undertake impact and

vulnerability assessments; identify good

practices and gaps in integrating

adaptation into policy and plans; and

support adaptation planning and its

integration into national development

processes. It will focus on the most

vulnerable sectors and ecosystems,

especially water and agriculture.

Phase 1: 19 RIOCC

countries35

Phase 2: 3–5

countries

(Dominican

Republic 1st

country selected)

Funder(s) Spain

Total Budget US$4,375,233

Implementing

Agency(s)

UNEP


Project Type Assessment;

Capacity

building; policy

formation and

integration

Focus Area Government;

Agriculture;

Freshwater

supply

Participation in Global Projects

13.

Preparedness for

Climate Change36

The aim of this program was for the Red

Cross and Red Crescent National Societies

in countries particularly vulnerable to

climate change to gain a better

understanding of climate change and its

impacts to identify country-specific

adaptation measures in line with risks.

Activities could include organizing a

workshop on risks, assessment of risks

through preparation of a background

document, capacity building programs,

and developing climate change resilient

plans.

39 countries

Central American

participants in

Phase 1:

Costa Rica,

El Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

Funder(s) Red Cross/Red

Crescent Climate

Centre

Total Budget

Implementing

Agency(s)

National Red

Cross/Red

Crescent

Societies

Duration Phase 1: 2006–

2009

Phase 2: ongoing


building; Policy

formation and

integration

Focus Area Disaster risk

management

14.

Adaptation for

Smallholders to Climate

Change (AdapCC)37

This public–private partnership supports

coffee and tea farmers of Cafédirect’s

supply chain in developing strategies to

cope with the risks and impacts of climate

change.

Kenya, Mexico,

Nicaragua, Peru,

Tanzania, Uganda

Funder(s) BMZ

Total Budget

Implementing

Agency(s)

GIZ, Cafédirect


Project Type Research; Field

implementation

35 The 19 RIOCC countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. 36 IFRC, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/preparedness-for-climate-change-programme 37 GIZ/Cafédirect, http://www.adapcc.org/

http://www.climatecentre.org/site/preparedness-for-climate-change-programme

http://www.adapcc.org/



Countries

Project Details

Focus Area Agriculture;

Trade

15.

Integrating Climate

Change Risks and

Opportunities into


Processes38

The purpose of the project was to

develop capacities of UN staff and

Government stakeholders to integrate

risks and opportunities of climate change

in national programming and

development policies, such as their

United Nations Development Assistance

Framework, sectoral programs, and

development plans.

Cape Verde,

Colombia, El

Salvador, Malawi,

Nicaragua

Funder(s) Spain

Total Budget US$1.2 million

Implementing

Agency(s)

UNDP


(closed)


and integration

Focus Area Multi-sectoral

16.

Capacity Development

for Policy Makers:

Addressing climate

change in key sectors39

The project is a targeted capacity

development initiative that supports two

goals: 1. To increase national capacity to

co-ordinate Ministerial views for more

effective participation in the UNFCCC

process; and 2. To assess investment and

financial flows to address climate change

for selected key sectors. As a result of this

project, both the technical understanding

of key climate change issues and their

economic and policy implications within

the context of the Convention will be

enhanced.

Algeria,

Bangladesh,

Colombia, Costa

Rica, Dominican

Republic, Ecuador,

Gambia, Honduras,

Liberia, Namibia,

Nepal, Nicaragua,

Niger, Paraguay,

Peru, St. Lucia,

Togo,

Turkmenistan, and

Uruguay

Funder(s) United Nations

Foundation,

Finland,

Switzerland,

Norway, UNDP

Total Budget US$7 million

Implementing

Agency(s)

UNDP



building;

Policy formation

and integration;

Knowledge

communication


17.

Climate Risk

Management Technical

Assistance Support

Project: Phase II40

This project aims at increasing in-country

capacities to manage current and future

climate risks.

Bangladesh,

Bhutan, Dominican

Republic,

Honduras, India,

Kenya, Maldives,

Mongolia, Nepal,

Nicaragua, Niger,

Pakistan, Papua

New Guinea, Peru,

Timor-Leste and

Uganda

Funder(s) Sweden through

SIDA, UNDP core

finance

Total Budget

Implementing

Agency(s)

UNDP



and integration

Focus Area Multi-sectoral

38 UNDP, http://www.undp.org/climatechange/integrating_cc_risks.shtml 39 UNDP, http://www.undp.org/climatechange/capacity-development.html 40 UNDP, http://www.undp.org/cpr/documents/disaster/3Disaster%20Risk%20Reduction%20-%20Climate%20Risk%20Management.pdf

http://www.undp.org/climatechange/integrating_cc_risks.shtml

http://www.undp.org/climatechange/capacity-development.html

http://www.undp.org/cpr/documents/disaster/3Disaster%20Risk%20Reduction%20-%20Climate%20Risk%20Management.pdf




Countries

Project Details

18.

Partners for Resilience41 To increase the resilience of citizens

against natural disasters, climate change

and the deterioration of ecosystems,

through various intervention strategies:

stimulating sustainable economic

developments; strengthening the

capacity of local organizations and local

authorities, among other things by

making a risk assessment, natural disaster

risk management plans and warning

systems; advocacy and stimulation of

knowledge sharing between

governments, civil society, knowledge

institutes and the private sector in the

field of natural disaster reduction and

climate adaptation.

Ethiopia,

Guatemala,

India,

Indonesia,

Kenya,

Mali,

Nicaragua,

the Philippines,

Uganda

Funder(s) Netherlands

Total Budget EUR 40 million

Implementing

Agency(s)

Dutch Red

Cross, Red Cross

Climate Centre,

CARE, Cordaid,

Wetlands

International



building;

Knowledge

communication

Focus Area Disaster risk

management

5.2 National Level Action

Within all countries in Central America and Mexico, nationally focused adaptation action is

occurring at the policy as well as the program and project levels.

Policy Actions

Since the mid-1990s, governments in the region have started to develop strategic policy documents

on climate change. As captured in Table 3, they have all submitted at least one National

Communication to the UNFCCC and many of them have finalized or are about to finalize their

second submission. As well, all countries have either a policy or a strategy on climate change.42 Yet

there are large differences in the level of policy development and mainstreaming of climate change

into national and sectoral development plans occurring within the region.

Mexico has been leading the process. It has already published four National Communications—the

first non-Annex I (developing) country worldwide to do so. While its first submission focused on

impacts of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, and its second mainly on emission

reductions, the third and fourth National Communications provide a solid basis of climate scenarios,

vulnerability assessments and adaptation options. Crucially, adaptation options are not treated in

isolation but linked to existing sectoral policies. Mexico’s current National Development Plan and

the Mid-Term Adaptation Policy Framework recognize climate change adaptation as a strategic

theme. Both the National Strategy on Climate Change and the Mid-Term Adaptation Policy

Framework detail the direction of the development plan and outline the country’s adaptive capacity

41 Red Cross Climate Centre, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/partners-for-resilience 42 With the exception of El Salvador, which has only announced a National Climate Change Policy.

http://www.climatecentre.org/site/partners-for-resilience


building needs. As well, through an Intersecretarial Commission on Climate Change, a Special

Programme on Climate Change has been elaborated as Mexico’s sub-national program for the years

2009 to 2012. It consists of a wide range of adaptation measures to be implemented by the

respective sectors. Mexico has also established a State Programs of Action on Climate Change that

seeks to conduct assessment studies on climate change impacts and vulnerabilities at the local level.

There are also separate sectoral climate change programs focused on, for instance, agriculture,

livestock and fisheries.

Among Central American countries, Costa Rica has made the most progress: it submitted its second

National Communication in 2009; its last available development plan addresses climate change; and

a National Climate Change Strategy exists that is explicitly linked to the National Development Plan

and to the SICA regional climate change strategy (CCAD and SICA, 2010). Costa Rica also has two

sub-national strategies for the Huetar Norte region as well as on water in the north-western area of

the Greater Metropolitan Area around San José.

Apart from Mexico and Costa Rica, the remaining countries in the region appear to be at

comparable stages. They are all about to finalize their second National Communications and they

have all elaborated or are about to finalize a national policy or strategy on climate change. All

Table 3: Comparison of adaptation action at the policy and program level in Central America and Mexico (as of May

2011)

Policy Action Participation in Projects/Programs

National Communications National Adaptation

Strategy or Plan

Country-

specific/

National

Multi-

country Total

1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Belize 2002 Policy on Adaptation to

Climate Change (2003) 1 5 6

Costa Rica 2000 2009 National Climate Change

Strategy (2009) 2 11 13

El Salvador 2000 National Climate Change

Policy (announced) 1 9 10

Guatemala 2001 National Climate Change

Policy (2009) 6 13 19

Honduras 2000 National Strategy on Climate

Change (2011) 3 12 15

Mexico 1997 2001 2007 2010

National Strategy on Climate

Change (2007)

8 7 15

Nicaragua 2001

National Strategy on

Environment and Climate

Change (2010)

3 16 19

Panama 2001 National Climate Change

Policy (2007) 3 6 9

Note: Information contained in this table is based upon research completed as of May 2011. Additional project and

programs, for example, may be underway in each country. Full information regarding adaptation action in each country

as of May 2011 is available in the Appendix of this report.


national development plans or strategies except Panama’s Strategic Government Plan mention

climate change, and most of them refer to adaptation in particular. The actual degree of

mainstreaming varies, however. In the national development strategies of El Salvador (El Salvador,

2010), Honduras (República de Honduras, 2010) and Nicaragua (República de Nicaragua, 2009),

adaptation appears more prominently, and the cross-sectoral importance of adaptation, especially in

key sectors such as agriculture, is highlighted. In the development plans of Guatemala

(SEGEPLAN, 2010) and Belize (Belize, 2010), climate change adaptation is only briefly mentioned

under risk management.

Policies and strategies are also more elaborate in some countries compared to others. Honduras, for

instance, has recently finalized a detailed National Strategy on Climate Change that specifies priority

sectors, strategic directions and key adaptation measures (SERNA, 2011). Nicaragua’s National

Strategy on Environment and Climate Change (República de Nicaragua, 2010) lists specific

adaptation project proposals. Costa Rica’s National Climate Change Strategy (MINAET, 2007) also

identifies key sectors and measures. On the other hand, Guatemala’s policy (Guatemala, 2009) lays

out objectives, guidelines and priority sectors but doesn’t propose any actions. El Salvador has not

finalized its strategy yet, and Belize’s policy dates from 2003 and not mentioned in any subsequent

documents.

Some explanatory factors for these regional discrepancies in adaptation policy and mainstreaming

are clear. For instance, Mexico has more than twice as many inhabitants than Central America as a

whole, and is the only country in the region that is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-

operation and Development. Costa Rica is one of the richest Central American countries, and has a

long tradition of pioneering environmental policy. The degree of policy progress in the less

developed countries of Honduras and Nicaragua may be explained by their high vulnerability and

awareness of climatic risks thanks to past climate-related disasters such as Hurricane Mitch. Panama,

although relatively wealthy, has much less exposure to natural disasters and receives less

development assistance. Belize has a tiny population and probably less capacity to develop

sophisticated policies. It is also expected that climate change impacts will be less harsh in Belize than

elsewhere. Finally, it should be remembered that the present analysis is a snapshot, and that policies

and action also depend on specific governments and other circumstances.

Projects and Programs

Mirroring the different extent of progress regarding climate change adaptation policy and

mainstreaming, countries are also hosting an unequal number of projects and programs. Costa Rica,

Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua all have over a dozen projects, whereas only six

current activities have been identified for Belize. This variance may be explained in a similar way as

the differences in policy action. Most countries participate in more regional or global projects than

in activities that are confined to their own territory. The exception of Mexico may be explained by

the size of the country and a stronger ability to design and implement its own projects rather than

depending on assistance from development agencies. The high likelihood of not all nationally


focused adaptation having been captured in this review should also be noted, due in part to the

additional challenges associated with identifying action within countries at the national and sub-

national levels.

Many of the national-level projects identified do not have an explicit sectoral focus. This includes

capacity building initiatives, general policy support and activities with a territorial and multi-sectoral

approach. Of those projects which can be more easily associated with a specific sectors, several deal

with water and some with agriculture, forests, health and coastal zones. No projects targeting energy

or infrastructure have been identified. Almost all activities focus on capacity building, policy

strengthening or community-based adaptation.

Two types of large adaptation projects are presently underway in the region. On the one hand, there

are very large policy-based projects financed through loans from the Inter-American Development

Bank (IADB) and from the World Bank taking place in Mexico, including support programs for

national and state-level climate change agendas. On the other hand, there are multi-million dollar

projects implementing concrete adaptation measures, such as the Adaptation Fund financed projects

“Reduction of Risks and Vulnerability Based on Flooding and Droughts in the Estero Real

Watershed” being implemented in Nicaragua, and “Addressing Climate Change Risks on Water

Resources in Honduras: Increased systemic resilience and reduced vulnerability of the urban poor”

that is being implemented in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa. Another project supported by the

Special Climate Change Fund, “Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts on the Coastal Wetlands in

the Gulf of Mexico,” is being implemented by Mexico. These latter projects may be seen as

launching a phase of more specific adaptation actions that include concrete and substantial

interventions on the ground.

In some countries, proposals for future projects have been identified. Nicaragua, for instance,

presents in its National Strategy on Environment and Climate Change three projects including

potential funders, responsible ministries and timelines. The projects focus on agriculture, water and

climate information (República de Nicaragua, 2010). Guatemala has a proposal for a pilot project on

productive landscapes and socio-economic networks pending for approval with the Adaptation

Fund. USAID proposes a food security initiative and a coastal zone project that will be implemented

throughout Central America.

In sum, there is considerable adaptation activity in Central America and in Mexico. Countries are

making progress towards addressing their identified needs and priorities. Nevertheless, there are still

large gaps between needs and action. Only a handful of projects exist for specific sectors across the

region, leaving entire sectors unaddressed in several countries or not addressed in any country (such

as energy and infrastructure). To some extent these findings may reflect the time required to initiate

adaptation action. Adaptation efforts first must build capacities, assess vulnerabilities and adaptation

options and propose appropriate policies and measures before specific actions can be designed and

implemented. There are now signs of a wave of larger and more specific projects being implemented


in Central America and Mexico, such as the projects being financed by the Adaptation Fund in

Honduras and Nicaragua, and a number of proposed activities dealing with specific themes such as

coastal areas and agriculture.

Important funders in the region include the Adaptation Fund, the Global Environment Facility

(GEF), IADB, UNDP, UNEP, the World Bank, and as bilateral donors such as Germany, Norway,

Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.

5.3 Communities of Practice

Within the region, three networks have been identified that bring together policy-makers,

researchers and civil society together to build knowledge related to climate change adaptation:

Red Temática sobre Adaptación al Cambio Climático y el Rol de Servicios Ecosistématicos

en América Latina;

Regional Policy Dialogue: Water and Climate Change Adaptation; and

Plataforma Climática Latinoamericana (Latin American Platform on Climate)

Other formal communities of practice have not been identified as being active in the region Table 4: Selected climate change communities of practice in Central America and Mexico

Organization Geographic scope Type of Action Sector / area of work

1.

Red Temática sobre

Adaptación al Cambio

Climático y el Rol de

Servicios Ecosistématicos

en América Latina

(Thematic Network on

Climate Change

Adaptation and

Ecosystem Services in

Latin America) or

ADAnet43

Latin America Knowledge

communication

Seeks to foment relationships between

investigators and specialists from different research

centers, ministries, institutions and non-

governmental organizations. It aims to promote

discussion and the exchange of knowledge about

climate change and the role of ecosystems in Latin

America, and does this through face-to-face

meetings, courses, seminars and workshops.

2.

Regional Policy Dialogue:

Water and Climate

Change Adaptation

Latin America and

the Caribbean

Knowledge

communication;

Advocacy

The network is a regional effort where civil society,

multilateral partners, the private sector and

governments collaborate in dialogue to share

knowledge and lessons learned on climate change

and water.44 With a clear focus on water issues

related to climate change, it aims to raise awareness

among the public and decision-makers, promote a

united voice in global discussions, and exchange

experiences.

43 Information about ADAnet may be found at: http://www.adaptacionyecosistemas.net/ 44 Dialogue partners include the Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank, Agencia Nacional de Aguas, Red Centroamericana de Acción del Agua, Consejo Consultivo de Agua, The Nature Conservancy, UN-Habitat, Gobierno de Sao Paulo, Comisión Nacional del Agua, the Global Water Partnership and Tecnológico de Monterrey,

http://www.adaptacionyecosistemas.net/


Organization Geographic scope Type of Action Sector / area of work

3.

Plataforma Climática

Latinoamericana (PLC)45

(Latin American Platform

on Climate)

Latin America Knowledge

communication

PLC is a space for civil society, experts, community

members and policy makers engage in dialogue and

exchange ideas. PLC’s aim is to link and connect

existing Latin American efforts on climate change,

raise awareness and influence decision-making on

political, social and environmental issues.

6.0 Conclusions

Central America and Mexico are used to climatic hazards such as hurricanes, floods and landslides

due to their location between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and in the ITCZ. The ENSO

phenomenon regularly brings heavy rainfall and droughts to the region. Observed warming trends

are expected to continue, especially in the Dry Corridor of Central America and in northern Mexico.

Precipitation patterns are changing, with a likely negative trend for the future for large parts of the

region. Hot extremes will probably become more frequent, but trends for other events such as

cyclones are harder to project.

Governments have implicitly or explicitly prioritized sectors for adaptation through strategic

documents such as National Communications and climate change strategies or policies. All countries

consider agriculture, sometimes including subsectors such as livestock and fisheries, and water

resources as especially vulnerable. Biodiversity and forestry, coastal zones and human health are also

priorities for nearly all countries. Energy, infrastructure, tourism, transport and risk management are

highlighted as areas of need by some countries. Countries have also identified general and specific

adaptation measures for each priority sector.

In order to address identified needs, countries have developed climate change policies and strategies.

The seven Central American states have also developed a regional climate change strategy through

SICA. Nine strategic objectives and over 150 measures are proposed for adaptation in different

sectors. Another regional body, RIOCC, is helping parties improve their understanding and

assessment of impacts, vulnerability and adaptation, and to make informed decisions on practical

adaptation actions. Belize is also a member of CARICOM and home to its CCCCC.

Policy action at the national level has made considerable progress. Mexico is the region’s leader in

terms of preparing National Communications, developing national and sub-national climate change

policies and strategies, and mainstreaming adaptation into development planning. Costa Rica is the

most advanced country in Central America, but Honduras and Nicaragua also have made important

progress thorough integration of adaptation into their development plans and preparing detailed

climate change strategies at the national level. Other countries are less advanced, but all have

45 LAPC, http://www.intercambioclimatico.com/en/

http://www.intercambioclimatico.com/en/


developed or are developing some sort of national climate change policy. Among the explanatory

factors for the different extent of policy action are development status and size, past and future

vulnerability, and donor interest and political leadership.

Current projects and programs cover a range of sectors, including agriculture, freshwater, forestry,

coastal zones and human health. Other priorities, such as energy and infrastructure, so far have not

been addressed. Many projects cover several sectors or focus on general capacity building and

support at national and local levels. So far, few initiatives stress concrete adaptation action, as most

projects still focus on policy research or capacity building.

There is still a large gap between identified needs and ongoing action. Several high-priority sectors

have not been addressed in some countries, and in other there are no more than one or two projects

underway. On agriculture, for instance, there are a number of coffee projects, but little action on

highly vulnerable crops such as maize and beans. The freshwater sector needs massive investments

and policy changes, but has only attracted a handful of projects in the entire region. Human health

and disaster risk management have only been addressed in a few countries, as have coasts and

forests. Programming related to some sectors and issue also appear to be absent, such as

hydroelectric energy production, infrastructure, freshwater fisheries, tourism, transportation and

those that specifically seek to understand and respond to the gender-based impacts of climate

change.

Fortunately, countries can base their future interventions on an already sound basis of knowledge

and policies. What appears to be missing is a focus on more specific actions, including

implementation plans and strategic financing. Nicaragua’s National Strategy on Environment and

Climate Change offers a good example of how a few specific priority actions can be identified and

presented in detail. Recently approved and proposed projects such as those funded by the

Adaptation Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund in Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua show

how specific needs can be addressed through relatively large but concrete activities.


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Appendices: Country Profiles

The appendices to this report, “Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action: Central America and Mexico,” provide an overview

of adaptation action in each of: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.

To assess the level of adaptation action occurring in each of these countries, a desk-based review of internet sources and relevant

documentation was undertaken. The content of these sources was assessed in relation to a set of parameters established to focus the

review’s scope and ensure consistency across regions. Notably, it examines discrete adaptation actions, or policies, programs and projects

designed and implemented specifically to address the current and projected impacts of climate change. Therefore, the review presents only a portion of the

breadth of the efforts underway to reduce the vulnerability of developing countries to the impacts of climate change. In particular, it

does not capture the broad array of development activities that are increasing the adaptive capacity of communities and countries. As

well, within the review, adaptation efforts have been deemed to be “current” if they were ongoing or completed in 2009 or later.

Therefore, the review does not include projects completed prior to 2009 that may have contributed to building local and national

capacity to adapt. The review also only identifies those actions currently underway; it does not offer judgment of the effectiveness of

actions taking place. In addition, reflecting the desk-based nature of the review, it is acknowledged that the content is biased toward

identification of large-scale projects funded by international development assistance organizations and those projects about which

information is available online. Therefore, small-scale projects that meet the review’s definition of adaptation action, particularly those

occurring at the community level, are not fully represented within the review. A fuller explanation of the methodology used to develop

the country profiles that follow is provided in the methodology section of this report.

To facilitate analysis of the degree to which current adaptation projects and programs identified through the review are helping to meet

the adaptation needs and priorities of developing countries, a common classification system was developed. This system examined

identified projects and programs from two perspectives—their sector or areas of focus and the types of activities they are supporting. A

fuller description of these two types of classifications is provided below.

Sector or Area of Focus

To support development of a general classification system for adaptation projects on the basis of their sector or area of focus, a review

of the categories used by the Adaptation Learning Mechanism, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), United Nations

Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Nairobi Work Programme was completed and used to guide development of a series of


categories for characterizing activities included in this review. Based on this review and expert judgment, a set of 14 macro project

categories were identified: food, fiber and forests; ecosystems; freshwater resources; oceans and coastal areas; disaster risk management;

migration and security; gender; business; infrastructure and transportation; human settlements; human health; climate information

services; governance; and multi-sectoral. Where appropriate, these macro project categories were further refined through the

identification of various sub-categories. These sub-categories were then used to label the discrete adaptation projects included in the

review.

Definitions of the macro project categories used in the review along with descriptions of the types of projects included within their

individual sub-categories are presented below.

1. Food, Fiber and Forests – Defined as the management and use of terrestrial natural resources to directly improve human well-

being. Its sub-categories are:

Agriculture – Encompassing subsistence agriculture, commercial agriculture and the rearing of confined domestic animals.

Pastoralism – Encompassing the use of domestic animals as a primary means for obtaining resources from habitats (UNEP,

2007), particularly in nomadic and semi-nomadic communities.

Forestry – Encompassing afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, commercial forestry, community-based forest management

and woodland management.

Fire management – encompassing monitoring, planning and management to address the impact of fires on settlements and

ecosystems, including forested and grassland ecosystems.

2. Ecosystems – Defined as a system of living organisms interacting together and with their physical environment, the boundaries of

which may range from very small spatial scales to, ultimately, the entire Earth (IPCC, 2007). Its sub-categories are:

Biodiversity – Encompassing activities related to the maintenance of living organisms at various spatial scales, including the

establishment and protection of parks and bio-reserves.

Ecosystem conservation – Encompassing efforts to maintain the health of particular ecosystems, such as wetlands, grasslands, forests,

mangroves and coral reefs.

Ecosystem restoration – Encompassing efforts to restore the health of particular ecosystems, such as wetlands, grasslands, forests,

mangroves and coral reefs.


3. Freshwater Resources – Defined as the management and use of freshwater contained in terrestrial ponds, lakes, rivers, watersheds,

among others. Its sub-categories are:

Freshwater fisheries – Encompasses the catching, packing and selling of fish and shellfish derived from lakes, rivers and ponds, as

well as through freshwater aquaculture.

Watershed management – Encompassing management of the basins that supply water to different streams, rivers, lakes and

reservoirs, including integrated watershed management.

Freshwater supply – Encompassing efforts to access and preserve freshwater for human consumption and use including drinking

water sources, groundwater resources, rainwater harvesting and water infrastructure such as wells, dams and dikes.

4. Oceans and Coastal Areas – Defined as the management and use of coastal areas and oceans. Its sub-categories are:

Coastal zone management – Encompassing the management of land and water resources in coastal areas, including through

integrated coastal zone management and the establishment and maintenance of coastal infrastructure.

Marine management – Encompassing the management and use of off-shore ocean and sea resources.

Marine fisheries – Encompassing the catching, packing and selling of fish, shellfish and other aquatic resources found in the

oceans and seas, including through marine and coastal aquaculture.

5. Disaster Risk Management – Defined as the “systematic process of using administrative directives, organizations, and operational

skills and capacities to implement strategies, policies and improved coping capacities in order to lessen the adverse impacts of

hazards and the possibility of disaster” (UNISDR, 2009, pp. 10). It includes emergency response measures, preparation for extreme

events and early warning systems. No sub-categories were established in relation to this macro project category.

6. Migration and Security – Defined as efforts to support the movement of people and maintain their personal security in the face of

incremental climate changes or climate shocks.

Migration – Encompassing preparations for and responses to the potential movement of people from one location to another

due to climate change impacts.

Security – Relates to personal security and freedom from violence, crime and war due to natural and human-induced disasters

(UNEP, 2007) and encompasses peace building, conflict reduction and conflict avoidance activities.


7. Gender – Defined as the social attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female and the relationships between

women and men, and girls and boys, as well as the relations between women and those between men. These attributes,

opportunities and relationships are socially constructed and are learned through socialization processes (UN Women, undated). It

includes efforts to understand the vulnerability of women to the impacts of climate change, gender-sensitive adaptation strategies,

and measures to improve the situation of women at the local and policy level, including through gender mainstreaming. No sub-

categories were established in relation to this macro project category.

8. Business – Defined as the purchase and sale of goods and services with the objective of earning a profit. Its sub-categories are:

Tourism – Encompassing the adjustment and development of tourist facilities and operations to account for current and future

vulnerabilities, including these actions in relation to ecotourism.

Private sector – Encompassing potential impact of climate change and potential adaptation strategies on the diverse activities

underway in the portion of the economy in which goods and services are produced by individuals and companies including

industry, mining and other economic sectors.

Trade – Encompassing the exchange of goods and services within and between countries.

Insurance – Encompassing the development, testing and adjusting of insurance and risk-management schemes, including weather-

based index systems.

9. Infrastructure – Defined as the basic equipment, utilities, productive enterprises, installations, institutions and services essential for

the development, operation and growth of an organization, city or nation (IPCC, 2001). Its sub-categories are:

Energy – Encompassing energy-related systems and infrastructure, including small-scale and large-scale energy generation

through hydroelectric power generation, wind, solar and other forms of traditional and new energy sources, as well as

transmission networks.

Transportation – Encompassing the components of the system required to move people and goods, including roads, bridges,

railway lines, shipping corridors and ports.

Waste management – Encompassing sanitation, sewage systems, drainage systems and landfills.

Buildings – Encompassing actions related to built structures such as houses, schools and offices, including changes to building

codes, building practices and green ways of construction.


10. Human Settlements – Defined as a place or area occupied by settlers (IPCC, 2001). Its sub-categories are:

Peri-urban areas – Encompassing the outskirts of urban centers, and the transition zone between rural and urban areas.

Urban areas – Encompassing municipalities, towns and cities, as well as areas in these centers (such as slums).

Rural areas – Encompassing villages and other small settlements, as well as rural landscapes and integrated rural development.

11. Human Health – Defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or

infirmity (WHO, undated). It includes efforts to assess vulnerabilities to and the impacts of climate change on human health directly

and indirectly, and the development and implementation of appropriate adaptation strategies at the local, regional and national

levels. No sub-categories were established in relation to this macro project category.

12. Climate Information Services – Defined as the production and delivery of authoritative, timely and usable information about

climate change, climate variability, climate trends and impacts to different users at the local, sub-national, national, regional and

global levels.46 It includes efforts to develop, adjust and provide short- and long-term climate forecasts, including climate change

projections, to different audiences. No sub-categories were established in relation to this macro project category.

13. Governance – Defined as the institutions (laws, property rights systems and forms of social organization) through which societies

define and exercise control over resources.47 Its sub-categories are:

Government – Encompassing efforts to build the capacity of government officials, either at the national or sub-national level, to

prepare for and facilitate adaptation to climate change, including through the development of policies, plans, frameworks and

strategies, as well as the establishment and operation of climate change trust funds.

Civil society – Encompassing efforts to build the capacity of the public including non-governmental organizations, to understand,

prepare for and respond to climate change.

14. Multi-sectoral – Defined as actions that simultaneously address more than one sector in one and/or multiple locations. It includes

efforts that address more than one sector, which are challenging to tease apart, and in the context of this review includes large,

multi-country projects in which the specific sector of focus is nationally determined and, therefore, varies from country to country.

No sub-categories were established in relation to this macro project category.

46 Derived from: http://www.joss.ucar.edu/cscc/climate-service-definition-condensed.pdf 47 Derived from UNEP, 2007.

http://www.joss.ucar.edu/cscc/climate-service-definition-condensed.pdf


Types of Activities

The following categories were used to organize the types of activities being completed as part of current adaptation projects and

programs identified through the review:

Research – Encompassing efforts to develop new knowledge and/or organize existing information so as to increase

understanding of the links between climate change, human society and ecosystems and inform adaptation decision-making.

Assessment – Encompassing risk, impact and vulnerability assessments, as well as monitoring of ecological and societal trends.

Capacity building – Encompassing the provision of technical training, technical assistance, institutional strengthening and

education.

Knowledge communication – Encompassing efforts to share information, knowledge and practices related to climate change

adaptation, including awareness raising and engagement of media.

Policy formation and integration – Encompassing efforts to inform, develop and implement climate change adaptation plans,

strategies, frameworks and policies at the local, sub-national, national and international levels.

Field implementation – Encompassing physical measures to reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, including the

implementation of pilot projects, construction of infrastructure, development and modification of technologies and the

management of physical resources.

Community-based adaptation – Encompassing actions that directly engage community members in efforts to understand, plan

for and respond to the impacts of climate change.

References:

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] (2001). Annex B. Glossary of Terms. Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation and

Vulnerability. Retrieved from: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/glossary/tar-ipcc-terms-en.pdf

United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women [UN Women] (undated). Gender Mainstreaming:

Concepts and definitions. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/conceptsandefinitions.htm

United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP] (2007). Glossary. Global Environment Outlook 4. Retrieved from:

http://www.unep.org/geo/geo4/report/Glossary.pdf

http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/glossary/tar-ipcc-terms-en.pdf

http://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/conceptsandefinitions.htm

http://www.unep.org/geo/geo4/report/Glossary.pdf


United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction [UNISDR] (2009). 2009 UNISDR Terminology on Disaster Risk Reduction.

Geneva: UNISDR. Retrieved from: http://unisdr.org/files/7817_UNISDRTerminologyEnglish.pdf

World Health Organization [WHO] (undated). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from:

http://www.who.int/suggestions/faq/en/index.html

http://unisdr.org/files/7817_UNISDRTerminologyEnglish.pdf

http://www.who.int/suggestions/faq/en/index.html


1.0 Belize

AusAID Australian International Development Agency

BEST Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology

CARICOM Caribbean Community

CCAD Central American Commission for Environment and Development (Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y

Desarrollo)

CCCCC Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre

DFID U.K. Department for International Development



MACC Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change

NMS National Meteorological Service

SICA Central American Integration System (Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana)

SIECA Sistema de Integración Económica Centroamericana (Central American Economic Integration System)





WWF World Wildlife Foundation / World Wide Fund for Nature

Belize is a small Central American state with a long, low-lying coastline. The national territory encompasses over 1,000 small islands and

the second longest barrier-reef in the world. Three-quarters of its land is covered by forests that support fragile ecosystems. The country

lies in the hurricane belt and, on average, is affected by a hurricane every three years (Belize 2002). These hurricanes have adversely

affected the people and economy of Belize, as demonstrated by the damage to its agriculture sector in late 2007 and late 2010. The

country’s agriculture sector generates 71 per cent of its foreign exchange earnings and employs about 29 per cent of its labor force. Key

export crops include citrus, sugar, bananas and marine products (such as shrimp). Belize’s largest source of foreign exchange, however,

is tourism—a sector of the economy that the government has designated as being a priority for further development (USDS, 2011).


A. Adaptation Needs and Priorities

Recent climatic trends in Belize include minor temperature increases and statistically insignificant rainfall reduction over the last 50

years. In the future, temperatures are projected to continue to increase by 1.5° to 2°C by 2090. Projected changes in rainfall patterns are

highly uncertain, but the median values of all scenarios show decreasing trends. An additional concern for Belize is sea level rise.

According to different climate models, sea levels could rise by 0.18 to 0.56 meters until 2090 (UNDP 2009).

These projected changes have encouraged the government of Belize to better understand its vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate

change. Vulnerability assessments elaborated as part of the country’s preparation of a Second National Communication to the United

Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have focused on coastal zones, fisheries and aquaculture, tourism,

agriculture and health. Each assessment paper identifies a set of adaptation measures for the respective sector. In the water sector, Belize

has also established a National Adaptation Strategy. It recommends a number of adaptation measures involving awareness raising,

capacity building, changes in institutional structures and collaboration between stakeholders (BEST, 2009).

B. National Level Policies and Strategic Documents

A handful of Belize’s national policies address the issue of climate change and climate change adaptation. Its “Medium Term

Development Strategy” for 2010 to 2013, for example, acknowledges climate change as a relevant part of Belize’s development context.

Within the strategy, climate change is mentioned in the context of disaster preparedness, but “adaptation” is not referenced (Belize,

2010). A second document, the “Government of Belize Policy on Adaptation to Global Climate Change,” recommends the

mainstreaming of adaptation into all sectors and government ministry plans. The policy seems to date from around 2003, and it is

unclear to what extent the policy has been implemented as it is not mentioned in subsequent documents. In a more recent exercise, a

consultancy elaborated a “National Adaptation Strategy to Address Climate Change in the Water Sector” (BEST, 2009) as part of the

“Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change” (MACC) project implemented by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre

(CCCCC), a regional organization with headquarters in Belize. It presents five key adaptation actions for this sector involving integrated

water resource management, institution and capacity building, transboundary collaboration and awareness and education.

The National Meteorological Service (NMS) is the focal point for climate change affairs in Belize. As such, the NMS has been

responsible for coordinating and submitting National Communications to UNFCCC. An interdepartmental National Climate Change

Committee has also been established; however, it does not appear to be very active. Other key adaptation actors in Belize include the

CCCCC and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which have supported the elaboration of key documents.


Belize is also a member of the Central American Integration System (SICA), the institutional framework for the integration of Central

American states, and of the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), a committee which brings

together environmental ministries of SICA member states. Under the auspices of SICA and CCAD, a regional climate change strategy

has recently been developed (CCAD and SICA, 2010). The strategy summarizes climate information and sectoral vulnerabilities and

proposes six strategic areas, of which one is themed “Vulnerability and adaptation to climate variability and change, and risk

management.” Nine strategic objectives with over 150 measures relating to disaster risk reduction, agriculture and food security, forest

ecosystems and biodiversity, water, health, coastal-marine systems, tourism, indigenous people and public infrastructure are mentioned

under this theme. Other strategic areas are: mitigation; capacity building; education, awareness raising, communication and participation;

technology transfer; and international negotiations and management.

Table 1: Key Government Policies and Reports reflecting Adaptation Needs, Priorities and Planned Actions

Name of Policy Action Government Division

Responsible

Status Sector(s) of Focus Summary description

1. First National Communication

to the UNFCCC

Ministry of Natural Resources,

the Environment, Commerce

and Industry

Released in

July 2002

Multi-sectoral Identifies national circumstances, vulnerabilities of the

sectors mentioned, as well as adaptation and mitigation

options for a number of sectors.

2. Government of Belize Policy on

Adaptation to Global Climate

Change

Dating from

around 2003

(exact year

unknown)

Multi-sectoral This document was prepared after the First National

Communication. It designates the Chief Meteorologist as

the focal point for climate change issues in the country and

urges all government departments to mainstream

adaptation in to their plans and activities, and presents a

few key actions for each sector. It is unclear to what extent

the policy has been implemented. The document is not

mentioned in any of the subsequent assessments, plans and

strategies.

3. National Adaptation Strategy to

Address Climate Change in the

Water Sector in Belize

National Meteorological

Service, National Climate

Change Committee

Published in

2009

Freshwater supply This strategy was elaborated as part of the MACC project of

the CCCCC. It recommends five key adaptation actions for

the water sector.

4. Second National

Communication to the UNFCCC

Ministry of Natural Resources

and the Environment

Forthcoming Multi-sectoral As inputs to87 the Second National Communication to the

UNFCCC, five climate vulnerability and adaptation

assessments for coasts, fisheries and aquaculture, tourism,

agriculture and health have been prepared.


C. Current Adaptation Action

Belize has a low number of ongoing adaptation initiatives compared to other countries in Central America and Mexico. Most of these

projects are focused on research and capacity building. The majority support the government’s capacity to facilitate adaptation to climate

change, while also looking at concerns in key sectors such as coastal zones and agriculture. Projects addressing needs related to

freshwater resources, tourism, gender and disaster risk management are also being implemented. The most important efforts have been

undertaken in the framework of what is today the CCCCC. No concrete implementation of adaptation measures has been observed so

far.

Table 2: Current Adaptation Projects and Programs in Belize

Name Objectives Funder(s) Implementing

Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

National Action

1. Community Level Climate

Change Vulnerability

Assessment

Determine the vulnerability of coastal

communities and empower those

communities to identify functional climate

change adaptation strategies

WWF WWF Research;

Capacity

building

2008 - ? Coastal zone

management

Placencia,

San Pedro

Participation in Regional and Global Actions

2. Mainstreaming Adaptation

to Climate Change:

Caribbean Community

(MACC)48

The objective of the MACC project is to

facilitate an enabling environment for

climate change adaptation in the Caribbean

Community small islands and coastal

developing states participating in this effort.

Project components aimed to: (1) build

regional capacity to collect and analyze data,

thus expand the knowledge base on climate

change impacts in order to assess the

associated physical and socioeconomic

vulnerabilities; (2) build in-country capacity

to formulate and analyze adaptation policy

options and finalize sectoral adaptation

strategies for participating countries; (3)

build capacity in preparation for a regional

GEF Trust

Fund; co-

financing

Budget:

US$16 million

CCCCC,

CARICOM,

World Bank,

Government of

Canada, GEF,

Government of

US

Capacity

building;

Knowledge

communicatio

n; Policy

formation and

integration

2003–2009

(closed)

Government Regional:

Antigua and

Barbuda,

Bahamas,

Barbados,

Belize,

Dominica,

Grenada,

Guyana,

Jamaica, St.

Kitts and

Nevis, Saint

Lucia, St.

Vincent and

the

48 GEF, http://www.gefonline.org/projectDetailsSQL.cfm?projID=1084 and CCCCC, http://caribbeanclimate.bz/projects/projects.html

http://www.gefonline.org/projectDetailsSQL.cfm?projID=1084

http://caribbeanclimate.bz/projects/projects.html



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

position for the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change; and (4)

support public education and outreach

programs by strengthening information

access and data resources, and foster public

awareness through technical assistance and

capacity building.

Grenadines,

Trinidad and

Tobago

Belize: Among other things, a national adaptation strategy for the water sector was

elaborated.

3. Global Climate Change

Alliance49

The Global Climate Change Alliance seeks to

deepen the policy dialogue between the

European Union and developing countries on

climate change; and to increase support to

target countries to implement priority

adaptation and mitigation measures, and

integration climate change into their

development strategies. The program’s five

priority areas for funding are: improving the

knowledge base of developing countries to

the effects of climate change; promoting

disaster risk reduction; mainstreaming

climate change into poverty reduction

development strategies; reducing emissions

from deforestation and degradation; and

enhancing participation in the Clean

Development Mechanism.

European

Commission,

Czech

Republic,

Sweden,

10th

European

Developmen

t Fund

Budget:

€ 140 million

National

Governments

Policy

formation and

implementati

on;

Knowledge

communicatio

n

2008–

ongoing

Disaster risk

management;

Government

Global:

17 countries

and the

Pacific

region,50

including:

Jamaica

In Belize: In 2010, the European Commission agreed to finance an adaptation project in

Belize focused on water and waste management that will take place between 2010 and

2015.

Budget: The European Commission is contributing €2.9 million to this project (constituting 90 per cent of the total project budget).

4. The Economics of Climate

Change in Central America -

Phase II51



climate change in central America will be

undertaken. The aims of the project are to

foster a dialogue on different national

IADB, UK,

Denmark,

Spain, EU,

Germany

ECLAC, CCAD,

SIECA

Policy

formation and

integration;

Knowledge

communicatio

2008–2010 Government;

Coastal zone

management

Regional:

Belize, Costa

Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

49 GCCA, http://www.gcca.eu/pages/1_2-Home.html 50 These countries are: Bangladesh, Belize, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guyana, Jamaica, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nepal, the Pacific region, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tanzania and Vanuatu. 51 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html

http://www.gcca.eu/pages/1_2-Home.html




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)




includes a component focused on the impact

of climate change in coastal areas–C3A

(Cambio Climatico en las Coastas de America

Latina y Caribe).

n Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In Belize: A crop impact study for agriculture has been undertaken and published.

5. Integrating Climate Change

Adaptation into National

Development Processes in

Latin America and the

Caribbean

Build climate resilience of vulnerable human

and ecological systems in the region by

integrating adaptation options into national

planning processes and building the

associated capacity of key regional and

national institutions. The project will:

undertake impact and vulnerability

assessments; identify good practices and

gaps in integrating adaptation into policy

and plans; and support adaptation planning

and its integration into national

development processes. It will focus on the

most vulnerable sectors and ecosystems,


Spain

Budget:

US$4,375,233

United Nations

Environment

Programme

Assessment;

Knowledge

communicatio

n; Policy

formation and

integration


Agriculture;

Freshwater

supply

LAC Region:

Phase 1: 19

RIOCC

countries52

Phase 2: 3-5

countries

(Dominican

Republic 1st

country

selected)

In Belize: To be identified.

6. CARIBSAVE Climate Change

Risk Atlas: Phase 153

To provide practical assistance to the

governments, communities and the tourism

sector at the local and national levels to

assess climate change impacts and manage

risks. The project focuses on key sectors as

they relate to tourism and livelihoods,

including agriculture and gender, and “is

DFID;

AusAID

Budget:

£750,000 +

AU

$1,000,000

CARIBSAVE Research;

Capacity

building

2010–2011 Tourism;

Agriculture;

Gender;

Government

LAC Region:

13 countries54

including Belize

52 The 19 RIOCC countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. 53 CARIBSAVE, http://www.caribsave.org/index.php?id=5; and DFID, http://projects.dfid.gov.uk/project.aspx?Project=201634 54 Countries are Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, The Bahamas, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and the Turks & Caicos.

http://www.caribsave.org/index.php?id=5

http://projects.dfid.gov.uk/project.aspx?Project=201634



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

using climate models, examining sectoral

vulnerabilities, assessing adaptive capacity

and developing practical response strategies

with the countries across the region.”

Belize: Further information required

D. Proposed Adaptation Action

Belize is proposed to be part of three regional programs announced by the United States Agency for International Development

(USAID) and the United States Department of State (USDS). Additional projects in preparation have not been identified.

Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions

Name Objectives Type of project Priority Sector(s) Geographic focus

(if any)

1. Food Security Program USAID will support food security programs that focus on ways to

protect areas of agricultural production likely to be impacted by

climate change. The program will work to reduce disaster risks and

vulnerability to climatic shocks in Central America by improving

information, such as Earth observation data. USAID will help build

the capacity for government and community organizations to

utilize early warning systems to prepare and plan for disasters.

Capacity building;

Knowledge

communication

Agriculture;

Disaster risk

management

Central America

Notes: From USAID Fast start finance notes; US$300,000 for

the whole of Central America.

2. Coastal zone adaptation USAID will invest an additional $1 million in adaptation projects in

the coastal zones of Central America.

Capacity building Coastal zone

management

Central America

Notes: USAID program for Central America; budget of US$1

million for the whole of Central America.

3. Energy and Climate

Partnership of the Americas

USDS will provide approximately $1 million for an Energy and

Climate Partnership of the Americas program on adaptation to

climate change.

Capacity building Energy Latin America

Notes: Announced on the U.S. Department of State website.

E. Assessment

As a small state with a tiny population, Belize has benefited greatly of being part of the CCCCC. It has provided the basis for in-depth

vulnerability assessments in a number of key sectors and provides a space for collaboration with many other small states that face similar

issues in the context of climate change. However, besides research and capacity building, no concrete current adaptation projects have


been identified. Furthermore, awareness of gradual changes in climate still seems to be shadowed by attention to extreme events. This is

evidenced, for instance, in the medium term development strategy, which mentions climate change only in the context of disaster

preparedness. There thus appears to be a need to put the already ample knowledge about impacts and vulnerabilities, especially in

sectors such as coastal and marine resources and agriculture, into practice.

References:

Belize (2002). First National Communication to the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change. Retrieved from http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?rec=j&priref=3437#beg

Belize (2010). Belize Medium Term Development Strategy 2010–2013. Building Resilience against Social, Economic and Physical

Vulnerabilities.

Belize (forthcoming). Second National Communication to the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention

on Climate Change.

Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology [BEST] (2009). National Adaptation Strategy to Address Climate Change in the Water

Sector in Belize–Strategy and Action Plan.

Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo [CCAD] and Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana [SICA] (2010). Estrategia

Regional de Cambio Climático. Documento Ejecutivo.

United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] (2009). UNDP Climate Change Country Profiles: Belize.

United States Department of State [USDS] (2011). Background Note: Belize. Last updated May 2, 2011. Retrieved from

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1955.htm.

http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?rec=j&priref=3437#beg



2.0 Costa Rica

CATHALAC Centro del Agua del Trópico Humedo para America Latina y el Caribe (Water Center for the Humid Tropics of

Latin America and the Caribbean)

CATIE Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher

Education Centre) (Spain)

CCAD Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo (Central American Commission for Environment and

Development)

CIAT International Center for Tropical Agriculture


ENCC Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático (National Climate Change Strategy)


INIA Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (National Institute for Research and

Technology in Agriculture and Food) (Spain)

MINAET Ministerio de Ambiente, Energia, y Telecomunicaciones (Ministry for Environment, Energy and

Telecommunications)

RIOCC Red Iberoamericana de Oficinas de Cambio Climático (Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices)

SICA Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (Central American Integration System)





Widely known for its rich biodiversity—and efforts to conserve this biodiversity by placing more than 26 per cent of its land under

protection—Costa Rica has developed a diverse economy that includes tourism, the export of agricultural products (principally bananas,

pineapples and coffee), and light manufacturing (including the micro-processors and pharmaceuticals). Costa Ricans have the highest

standard of living within Central America, with per capita income averaging about US$10,570 (USDS, 2011).



Costa Rica’s currently experiences climate hazards mainly in the form of storms and hurricanes. These typically occur in context of El

Niño and La Niña events, which tend to change precipitation distributions and can therefore lead to abnormally dry or wet conditions.

Few changes in the frequency, intensity and duration of these events have been observed so far, and future trends are uncertain. Climate

change is expected to increase temperatures by 2° to 3°C in much of country by the end of the century; however, in some areas daily

maxima might increase by as much as 8°C. Rainfall is expected to decrease by up to 50 per cent in some areas and increase by around

the same percentage elsewhere. In most parts of Costa Rica, changes will be within the plus or minus 20 per cent range (MINAET

2009).

In light of these projections, Costa Rica’s “National Climate Change Strategy” (ENCC; MINAET 2007) identifies seven sectors as being

particularly vulnerable to climate change: water; energy; agriculture; fisheries and coasts; human health; infrastructure; and biodiversity. It

and the two National Communications Costa Rica has so far submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change (UNFCCC) also identify some general and more specific adaptation measures for these sectors. Costa Rica has not yet

prioritized these possible adaptation measures.


The government of Costa Rica has long been involved in climate change discussions at the international and national levels. Its current

“National Development Plan” for 2006 to 2010 acknowledges the importance of climate change and recommends the elaboration of a

national program on the issue. In lieu of a program, the Ministry for Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET)

established a “National Climate Change Strategy” that recommends the mainstreaming of adaptation and climate change in general into

sectoral programs and prioritizes the previously identified seven sectors for adaptation. Costa Rica is presently elaborating an action plan

to support implementation of the “National Climate Change Strategy.” This action plan is expected to be implemented by mid-2012.55

In addition, Costa Rica presently has detailed propositions available at the sub-national level. For instance, there is an adaptation strategy

for the water sector of the Northwestern Zone of the Greater Metropolitan Area around the capital San José. For the Huetar Norte

region, a climate change strategy that covers both adaptation and mitigation has been created. In addition, a recent study was conducted

on the implications of climate change (both mitigation and adaptation) for protected marine areas, but there is no evidence of a

formalized strategy addressing this issue to-date.

55 Personal communication, representative of the Adaptation Partnership, October 2011.


MINAET, through the Climate Change Office, is the focal point for climate change issues in Costa Rica. As such, the Ministry, through

the National Meteorological Institute, has elaborated the country’s National Communications as well as the various national and sub-

national strategic documents. It has received support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global

Environment Facility (GEF), among others, to accomplish these goals.

Costa Rica is also a member of Central American Integration System (SICA), the institutional framework for the integration of Central


together environmental ministries of SICA member states. Under the auspices of SICA and CCAD, a regional climate change strategy

has recently been developed (CCAD and SICA, 2010). The strategy summarizes climate information and sectoral vulnerabilities. It also

proposes six strategic areas for action, of which one is themed “Vulnerability and adaptation to climate variability and change, and risk

management”. Nine strategic objectives with over 150 measures relating to disaster risk reduction, agriculture and food security, forest

ecosystems and biodiversity, water, human health, coastal-marine systems, tourism, indigenous people and public infrastructure are

mentioned under this theme. Other strategic areas are: mitigation; capacity building; education, awareness raising, communication and

participation; technology transfer; and international negotiations and management. MINAET explicitly refers to the CCAD in its 2009

“National Climate Change Strategy.”



Responsible

Status Sector(s) of

Focus

Summary description

1. First National Communication

to the UNFCCC

Ministry of Environment

and Energy

Released in

2000

Multi-sectoral

Identifies the potential impact of climate change on water, coasts

and agriculture. A few general recommendations on adaptation are

included, but no specific measures are proposed or prioritized.

2. Second National

Communication to the UNFCCC

Ministry of Environment,

Energy and

Telecommunication

Released in

2009

Multi-sectoral Identifies climate scenarios for different regions for the country.

Presents the results of a detailed study on the vulnerability of the

Valle Central region, with a focus on water resources as a cross-

sectoral issue and a detailed list of adaptation measures for different

sectors (forests, agriculture, livestock, public services, health,

housing, organization and infrastructure). Furthermore, impacts,

vulnerability and some adaptation measures are presented for the

biodiversity and health sectors.

3. National Development Plan Ministry for National Released in Multi-sectoral Presents challenges, vision, goals and strategic actions for five



Responsible

Status Sector(s) of

Focus

Summary description

2006–2010 Planning and Economic

Policy

2007 sectors (social policy; productive policy; environment, energy and

telecommunications; institutional reform; and foreign policy). The

“National Climate Change Plan” is mentioned under the sectoral

targets and strategic actions of the environment, energy and

telecommunications section, and under foreign policy.

4. National Climate Change

Strategy

Ministry of Environment,

Energy and

Telecommunication

Released in

2009

Multi-sectoral The “National Climate Change Strategy” is meant to implement the

respective stipulations of the “National Development Plan 2006–

2010.” It also refers to the “Regional Climate Change Strategy for

Central America.” The strategy is divided into an international and a

national agenda. Adaptation is one of five chapters of the national

agenda. Seven sectors (water, energy, agriculture, fisheries and

coasts, health, infrastructure and biodiversity) are prioritized. For

each of them, a short summary on vulnerability and adaptation is

presented. Implementation of the strategy is to be led by the

Ministry for Environment, Energy and Telecommunication in

collaboration with all affected sectors.

5. National Development Plan

2011- 2014

Ministerio de

Planificación Nacional y

Política Económica

(Ministry of Planning and

Political Economy)

Released in

2010

Multi-sectoral A vision in the plan is securing economic growth through sustainable

practices. Within this pillar is “Environment and the Land-Use

Planning,” which promotes renewable energy, rational use of

resources, land-use practices that incorporates environmental

changes, and the protection of ecosystems and freshwater supply,

among others.

6. Climate Change Strategy:

Huetar Norte Region

Ministry for Environment

and Energy

Released in

2007

Multi-sectoral Presents a regional strategy for Huetar Norte on both mitigation and

adaptation. The adaptation section presents vulnerabilities and

adaptation measures for several sectors.

7. Climate Change Adaptation

Strategy for the Water System

in the Northwestern Zone of

the Greater Metropolitan Area

Ministry for Environment

and Energy

Released in

2007

Multi-sectoral Elaboration of this strategy was part of the project “Enhancing

National Capacities for Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation

Assessments of Water Systems in Costa Rica.” The project has a

focus on water resources. However due to the cross-cutting nature

of water, the impacts of climate change on a range of sectors were

estimated and a number of prioritized adaptation measures are

presented in the form of an action plan.

8. Action Plan on Climate Change Ministry of Agriculture In Agriculture This strategy aims to promote efforts in mitigation and adaptation on



Responsible

Status Sector(s) of

Focus

Summary description

and the Agro-environmental

management in Costa Rica 2011-

2014

(Plan de acción para el cambio

climático y la gestión

agroambiental en Costa Rica

2011-2014)

and Livestock development climate change and to establish an agro-environmental strategy for

the agriculture production process. Within these objectives it seeks

to: address variability and climatic change by reducing emissions and

using adaptive measures to reduce vulnerability to extreme climatic

events; conduct research in climate-resilient crops and livestock;

promote sustainable agriculture practices in order to lessen and

prevent environmental pollution; and implement appropriate and

sustainable land-use strategies that meet the different needs and

demands of the population.


There is a high amount of adaptation programming occurring in Costa Rica relative to other countries in the Central American region. A

number of adaptation projects in Costa Rica have already been executed and several are in the course of implementation. Most projects

still relate to capacity building and/or vulnerability assessments, and many of them concentrate on the water sector as a cross-cutting

issue. A limited number of projects involving the implementation of concrete adaptation measures have been identified so far.

Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Costa Rica


Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

National Actions

1. Adaptive Natural Resources

Management will bolster

Cabécar Communities56

To help inhabitants to increase their

capacity to adapt to climate change through

the adaptive management of natural

resources and the reduction of vulnerability

to external events using a combination of

ancient knowledge and modern technology.

Expectations are that (1) more than 50 per

cent of families will participate in the

ancient knowledge rescue process, (2) at

least three products or services will be

World Bank

Budget: US$

195 000

Ixacavaa Community-

based

adaptation

2008–2010 Agriculture

Bajo Chirripó

56 World Bank, http://wbi.worldbank.org/developmentmarketplace/idea/adaptive-natural-resources-management-will-bolster-cab%C3%A9car-communities

http://wbi.worldbank.org/developmentmarketplace/idea/adaptive-natural-resources-management-will-bolster-cab%C3%A9car-communities



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

made suitable for their integration into the

market, and (3) zones at high risk of

flooding will be identified and mapped in 50

per cent of the indigenous territory.

2. Enhancing National

Capacities for Climate

Vulnerability and Adaptation

Assessments of Water

Systems in Costa Rica as a

Mechanism to Reduce

Climate Change Risks and

Increase the Human

Development Index

Enhance human and institutional capacity to

implement, coordinate and monitoring

actions required to promote resilience of

the water sector to climate change, and

strengthen institutional and national

capacity to generate and implement climate

change adaptation policies and strategies.

UNDP

Budget:

$398,850

National

Meteorological

Institute

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration

2008 -

Ongoing

Freshwater

supply;

Government

Whole

territory of

Costa Rica


3. Preparedness for Climate

Change57


Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in

countries particularly vulnerable to climate

change to gain a better understanding of

climate change and its impacts to identify

country-specific adaptation measures in line

with risks. Activities could include

organizing a workshop on risks, assessment

of risks through preparation of a

background document, capacity building

programs, and developing climate change

resilient plans.

Red

Cross/Red

Crescent

Climate

Centre

National Red

Cross/Red

Crescent

Societies

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration

Phase 1:

2006–2009

Phase 2:

ongoing

Disaster risk

management

Global: 39

countries

In Phase 1:

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Costa Rica: All four steps of the project have been completed.

4. Effective Adaptation

Strategies and Risk

Reduction towards


Shocks: Lessons



develop strategies and tools for vulnerable

coffee growers facing the effects of global

change. A range of methods, including

Inter-

American

Institute for

Global Change

Research

Universidad del

Valle de

Guatemala

Research 2006–2011 Agriculture Regional:

Costa Rica,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

and Mexico

57 IFRC, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/preparedness-for-climate-change-programme




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)


Meso-America58

participatory tools, are applied to gather

data.

Budget:

US$579,987

In Costa Rica: Península de Nicoya and Los Santos

5. Health Vulnerability and

Climate Change Adaptation

Assessments59

To provide national level evidence of the

linkages between climate and health;

improve understanding of local and specific

health risks and vulnerabilities; provide the

opportunity for capacity building; and serve

as a baseline analysis to monitor how health

risks may be influenced by a changing

climate over time.

World Health

Organization

National

Ministries

Assessment;

Capacity

building

2008–2010 Human health Global: 15

countries

including

Bolivia, Brazil,

Cambodia,

Costa Rica,

Ghana, India,

Kyrgyzstan,

Mongolia and

Tunisia

In Costa Rica: Vulnerability assessment completed and short summary available.60



Phase II61










impact of climate change in coastal areas–

C3A (Cambio Climatico en las Coastas de

America Latina y Caribe).

IADB, UK,

Denmark,

Spain, EU,

Germany

ECLAC, CCAD,

SIECA

Policy

formation and

integration;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


Coastal zone

management

Regional:

Belize, Costa

Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In Costa Rica: A crop impact study for agriculture has been undertaken and published.

58 IAI, http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/CRN2/Factsheets/CRN2_60.pdf and http://www.iai.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=68 59 WHO, http://www.who.int/globalchange/mediacentre/events/2010/costa_rica_consultation_200710/en/index.html 60 This report is available at: http://www.who.int/globalchange/mediacentre/events/2010/costa_rica_consultation_200710/SUMMARY_COSTARICA_VA.pdf 61 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html


http://www.who.int/globalchange/mediacentre/events/2010/costa_rica_consultation_200710/en/index.html

http://www.who.int/globalchange/mediacentre/events/2010/costa_rica_consultation_200710/SUMMARY_COSTARICA_VA.pdf




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

7. Capacity Development for

Policy Makers: Addressing

climate change in key

sectors62



goals: 1. To increase national capacity to co-

ordinate Ministerial views for more





project, both the technical understanding of

key climate change issues and their

economic and policy implications within the

context of the Convention will be enhanced.

United

Nations

Foundation;

Switzerland;

Finland;

Spain; and

Norway

Budget:

US$6,953,413

UNDP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration;

Knowledge

communicatio

n

2008–2010 Government Global:

19 countries63

including

Costa Rica,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Costa Rica: The analysis focused on biodiversity and water.64

8. Climate Policy 2012:


project “Capacity


Makers to Address Climate

Change”65




Development for Policy Makers to Address

Climate Change” in the LAC region to

provide technical support to national policy

makers and its Country Offices and

strengthen capacity on budgetary issues

related to the post-2012 climate regime.

Activities include technical backstopping for

countries that begin to consider adaptation

to climate change in their National

Development Plans.

Spain, UNDP

Budget:

US$3.6 million

UNDP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration

2009–2011 Government LAC Region66:

Including

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Mexico,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In Costa Rica: See above description for the project “Capacity Development for Policy

Makers: Addressing climate change in key sectors.”

62 UNDP, http://www.undp.org/climatechange/capacity-development.html 63 These countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Gambia, Honduras, Liberia, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Togo, Turkmenistan and Uruguay. 64 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/costa_rica-en.aspx 65 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf 66 Countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela

http://www.undpcc.org/content/costa_rica-en.aspx





Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

9. Climate Change

Vulnerability Evaluation of

Coastal and Marine Areas67

This project is part of the “Ibero-American

Programme on the Evaluation of Impacts,

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate

Change” (PIACC) and aims to determine the

impacts of climate change on the coasts of

any country in Spanish and Portuguese

speaking countries of Latin America and the

Caribbean. It has a particular focus on the

dynamics of beaches, estuaries, lagoons,

deltas, cliffs and dunes, coastal erosion,

flood risks and coastal infrastructure. This

initiative is linked to the project “Economics

of Climate Change in Central America -

Phase II”68 funded by IADB, UK, Denmark,

Spain, EU and Germany.

Spain ECLAC,

University of

Cantabria,

national

counterparts

Capacity

building;

Assessment;

Knowledge

communicatio

n

2009–2011 Coastal zone

management

Most RIOCC

countries,69

including all

in Central

America

In Costa Rica: Further information required.

10. Mitigation and Adaptation

to Climate Change in

Sustainable Forest

Management in Ibero-

America70

Part of PIACC, this project aims to generate

new information and knowledge and

strengthen the capacity of research

institutions in the forestry sector on linking

sustainable forest management with

adaptation and mitigation to climate

change. This includes strengthening specific

research activities, developing and

disseminating methodologies and case

studies, strengthening human resources

and fostering the representation of the

forest sector in the regional and

international dialogue.

Spain INIA, CIFOR,

CATIE,

Polytechnical

University of

Madrid (UPM)

Capacity

building;

Research;

Knowledge

communicatio

n

2009–2011 Forestry RIOCC

countries


67 RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm 68 See ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html 69 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. Paraguay and Uruguay are not involved in this initiative. 70 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/

http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

11. Coffee Under Pressure:

Climate change and

adaptation in Mesoamerica71

Evaluating the impact of climate change on

coffee in Central America and identifying

viable adaptation options for rural

communities

Green

Mountain

Coffee

Roasters

CIAT Assessment 2009–2014 Agriculture Regional:

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Mexico,

Nicaragua

In Costa Rica: Analysis of climate change impacts on suitable locations for coffee

production; identification of adaptation options.

12. Peace Corps Renewable

Energy and Climate Change

Initiative72







United States

Department

of State

(USDS)

U.S. Peace

Corps, USDS

Community-

based

adaptation;

Knowledge

communicatio

n

Ongoing Energy LAC Region:

Costa Rica,

Dominican

Republic, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Guyana,

Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama,

Paraguay,

Peru,

Suriname

In Costa Rica: Three month project completed in 2008.

Implementing agency: Women’s Association of Guatuso Monte Alegre.

Budget: US$3,333









Spain

Budget:

US$4,375,233

United Nations

Environment

Programme

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and


Agriculture;

Freshwater

supply

LAC Region:

Phase 1: 19

RIOCC

countries73

71 CIAT, http://dapa.ciat.cgiar.org/cup-coffee-under-pression-adaptacion-del-cafe-al-cambio-climatico-en-centroamerica 72ECPA, http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives/default.aspx?id=35 73 The 19 RIOCC countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

Caribbean associated capacity of key regional and










integration

Phase 2: 3-5

countries

(Dominican

Republic 1st

country

selected)



Costa Rica is anticipated to benefit from participation in two regional programs announced by the United States Agency for

International Development (USAID).

Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions as described in the National Strategy and Action Plan on Environment and Climate Change


(if any)

1. Food Security Program USAID will support food security programs that focus on ways to

protect areas of agricultural production likely to be impacted by

climate change. The program will work to reduce disaster risks and

vulnerability to climatic shocks in Central America by improving

information, such as Earth observation data. USAID will help build the

capacity for government and community organizations to utilize early

warning systems to prepare and plan for disasters.

Capacity building;

Knowledge

communication

Agriculture;

Disaster risk

management

Central America

Notes: From USAID Fast start finance notes; US$300,000 for


2. Coastal zone adaptation USAID will invest an additional US$1 million in adaptation projects in

the coastal zones of Central America.


management

Central America

Notes: USAID program for Central America; budget of US$1

million for the whole of Central America.


E. Assessment

Costa Rica’s comparatively advanced stage of development and its history of active engagement in international climate change

discussions are reflected in its relatively well developed set of policy documents on climate change adaptation. This progress includes

two submitted National Communications to the UNFCCC, recognition of the importance of climate change in the current “National

Development Plan,” a “National Climate Change Strategy” and sub-national adaptation plans. A relatively high number of adaptation

projects are currently being implemented that address key sectors such as agriculture, freshwater supply and coastal zone management.

However, actual implementation of adaptation measures such as specific sectoral policies or physical adaptation actions does not appear

to be very advanced. On the policy level, even though sectors have been prioritized and certain adaptation measures identified, no

detailed implementation plans or national-level sectoral policies are available. On the project level, most activities have related to

capacity building and research, but not to implementation of adaptation measures per se.

References:



Ministerio de Ambiente, Energía y Telecomunicaciones [MINAET] (2009). Segunda Comunicación Nacional a la Convención Marco de

las Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio Climático. Retrieved from


Ministerio de Ambiente, Energía y Telecomunicaciones [MINAET] (2007). Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático.

United States Department for State [USDS] (2011). Background Note: Costa Rica. Last updated 10 February 2011. Retrieved from





3.0 El Salvador

CATIE Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Spain) (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher

Education Centre)


Development)





EU European Union

FUNDE Fundación Nacional para el Desarrollo (National Foundation for Development)




INIA Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (National Institute for Research and Technology

in Agriculture and Food) (Spain)

MARN Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales (Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources)


SICA Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana Central (American Integration System)







Lying along the Pacific Ocean and bordered by Guatemala and Honduras, the relatively small country of El Salvador74 is home to about

six million people.75 Geographically, the country is divided into three distinct regions: the southern coastal belt, the central valley and

plateaus, and the northern mountains. Since its civil war ended in 1992, El Salvador’s economy has grown steadily, with per capita

income reaching approximately US$7,300 in 2010 (CIA, 2011). The poverty rate has declined from 66 per cent in 1991 to 37.8 per cent

in 2009 (USDS, 2011). While agriculture remains a significant portion of El Salvador’s economy (generating 11 per cent of Gross

Domestic Product (GDP) in 2010), manufacturing (particularly textiles and apparel) and the services sector now generate 23 per cent

and 58 per cent of GDP respectively (CIA, 2011). Remittances are also an important source of income (USDS, 2011).


El Salvador has a relatively homogeneous climate. Nevertheless, climate hazards exist, and include droughts (which are noted to be

increasing in length), floods and hurricanes (MARN, 2000). National temperatures have been increasing by approximately 0.35°C per

decade; climate models project that temperatures will increase by 2.5° to 3.7°C by 2100. Projections are much less certain with regards to

rainfall; the country has experienced a statistically insignificant reduction in rainfall in the past few decades, and projections range from

declines of 36.6 per cent to increases of 11.1 per cent by the end of the century, according to the Ministry for Environment and Natural

Resources (MARN) (MARN, 2000). Finally, the country’s coastal zones are expected to be affected by rising sea levels.

Agriculture, water, coasts and forests have been identified as priority areas for adaptation in El Salvador. These areas have been

identified through a series of key national documents. In the country’s first (and so far only) National Communication to the United

Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), released in 2000, the vulnerability of the country’s coasts and

agricultural sector were assessed (MARN, 2000). Guidelines for a national adaptation strategy were developed following the release of

the First National Communication, and focused on coasts, agriculture (particularly staple foods and coffee) and forests. More recently,

El Salvador’s “Five-Year Development Plan” highlights agriculture, water management and ecosystems in the context of climate change

adaptation (El Salvador, 2010). The Plan calls for the development of a national climate change policy, which is now forthcoming.

Beyond government documentation, a 2007 report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global

Environment Facility (GEF) studied the vulnerability and adaptation needs of the rural population in the central coastal plains. More

specific research on drought has included an analysis of national drought policies (Romano, 2003) and a “Policy and Action Plan on

Living with Droughts in El Salvador” (FUNDE, 2003); both highlight the importance of droughts for El Salvador, particularly its

74 The total area of El Salvador is 20,742 square kilometers (USDS, 2011). 75 Estimate as of July 2011 (CIA, 2011).


agriculture sector. Priority areas for adaptation action are currently being reviewed as the government develops its national climate

change policy and finalizes its Second National Communication.

No list of prioritized adaptation action exists in El Salvador. Nevertheless, some key actions have been identified, particularly for the

agricultural sector, including: the generation and cultivation of new crop varieties; improved water supply and irrigation; soil plant

coverage; early warning systems; harvest forecasts; food surveillance systems; farming investment; insurance schemes; research and

development; economic policy measures to stimulate grain production; more sustainable agricultural practices; farm zoning programs;

and institutions that promote human development and food security (MARN, 2000). No measures are suggested for coastal areas.

UNDP and GEF (2007) also identify a set of adaptation measures related to rural livelihoods, with a focus on agriculture.


El Salvador is a signatory to the UNFCCC, with the Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources serving as the focal point for the

process. The Ministry produced its First National Communication in 2000, and planned to publish its second in 2010, though it has yet

to be released.

Climate change and adaptation are referred to in the “Environment and Risk Reduction Policy”76 section of El Salvador’s recent Five-

Year Development Plan (El Salvador, 2010). The plan highlights the links between adaptation and ecosystems, water management and

agriculture, and calls for the development of a national climate change policy to mainstream climate change into sectoral policies on

health, agriculture, energy, transport, infrastructure, water management and waste.

El Salvador is a member of the Central American Integration System (SICA), the institutional framework for the integration of Central


together the environmental ministries of the SICA member states. Under the auspices of SICA and CCAD, a regional climate change

strategy has recently been developed (CCAD and SICA, 2010). The strategy summarizes climate information and sectoral vulnerabilities,

and proposes six strategic areas for action, including “Vulnerability and adaptation to climate variability and change, and risk

management.” Under this theme, nine strategic objectives (with over 150 measures) are listed: disaster risk reduction, agriculture and

food security, forest ecosystems and biodiversity, water, health, coastal-marine systems, tourism, indigenous people and public

76 Environment and Risk Reduction Policy is one of five of the sectoral and macroeconomic policies in the plan.


infrastructure. The strategy’s other focal areas are: mitigation; capacity building; education, awareness raising, communication and

participation; technology transfer; and international negotiations and management.



Responsible


1. First National

Communication to the

UNFCCC

Ministry for

Environment and

Natural Resources

Released in 2000 Multi-sectoral First report to UNFCCC. On adaptation, it presents some available

results of assessments on coastal zones and agriculture. It also

discusses some adaptation options for agriculture.

2. Five-year Development

Plan 2010-2014

Government of El

Salvador

Released in

November 2010

Multi-sectoral Presents the vision and priorities of the government elected in 2009

for its entire term. Climate change, including adaptation, is mentioned

under the section “Environment and risk Reduction Policy,” which is

one of five of the country’s sectoral and macroeconomic policies. The

links between adaptation and ecosystems, water management and

agriculture are highlighted. The document also calls for the elaboration

of a national climate change policy that will mainstream climate change

into sectoral policies on health, agriculture, energy, transport,

infrastructure, water management and waste.

3. Second National


United Framework

Convention on Climate

Change

Ministry for

Environment and

Natural Resources

To be published

soon

Second report to UNFCCC, initially scheduled to be finalized by late

2010.

4. National Climate Change

Policy

Ministry for

Environment and

Natural Resources

Announced in

current five-year

development

plan

Multi-sectoral This policy was announced in the current five-year national

development plan, which calls for the mainstreaming of climate

change mitigation and adaptation into key sectors.


El Salvador has a moderate amount of adaptation action currently underway, which mostly focuses on regional capacity building and

research programs on climate change adaptation. Agriculture, water and coastal areas, identified as key areas for adaptation, are reflected

in current adaptation activities. However, many adaptation needs remain unaddressed, such as in the areas of human health, gender and

ecosystem conservation. One project focused on providing safe drinking water in the region of Zacatecoluca involves the


implementation of adaptation concrete measures. Outside of this project, the majority of adaptation activity in El Salvador involves

capacity building, research and policy formation and integration.

Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in El Salvador


Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

National Actions

1. Healthy Wells and Latrines

Keep Water Drinkable for

Vulnerable Communities77

To provide safe drinking water and increase

community resilience to extreme climate

events in 14 vulnerable coastal communities

of Zacatecoluca, El Salvador. The project

targets communities that are among the

most vulnerable to the impacts of climate

change.

World Bank

Budget:

US$199,000

Oxfam, PRO-

VIDA

Community-

based

adaptation

2009–2011 Freshwater

supply

Zacatecoluca



Change78












resilient plans.

Red

Cross/Red

Crescent

Climate

Centre

National Red

Cross/Red

Crescent

Societies

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration

Phase 1:

2006–2009

Phase 2:

ongoing

Disaster risk

management

Global: 39

countries

In Phase 1:

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

In El Salvador: All four steps of the project have been completed.


Risks and Opportunities into


Processes and United

The purpose of the project was to develop

the capacity of UN staff and Government

stakeholders to integrate risks and

opportunities of climate change in national

Spain

Budget:

US$1.2 million

UNDP Policy

formation and

integration

2008–2010

(closed)

Government Global:

Cape Verde,

Colombia, El

Salvador,

77 World Bank, http://wbi.worldbank.org/developmentmarketplace/idea/healthy-wells-and-latrines-keep-water-drinkable-vulnerable-communities 78 IFRC, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/preparedness-for-climate-change-programme

http://wbi.worldbank.org/developmentmarketplace/idea/healthy-wells-and-latrines-keep-water-drinkable-vulnerable-communities




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

Nations Country

Programming79

programming and development policies,

such as their United Nations Development

Assistance Framework, sectoral programs,

and development plans.

Malawi and

Nicaragua

In El Salvador: The project involved the development of a climate profile, institutional

mapping, as well as an evaluation of the United Nations Development Assistance

Framework, a Development Fund as well as of the Inter-sectoral Programme on Food

Security.

4. Climate Change


















Spain ECLAC,

University of

Cantabria,

national

counterparts

Capacity

building;

Assessment;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


management

Most RIOCC

countries,82

including all

in Central

America

El Salvador: Further information required.



Sustainable Forest


America83






Spain INIA, CIFOR,

CATIE,

Polytechnical

University of

Madrid (UPM)

Capacity

building;

Research;

Knowledge

communicatio


countries

79 ALM, http://www.adaptationlearning.net/project/integrating-climate-change-risks-and-opportunities-national-development-processes-and-unite-2 and UNDP, http://www.undp.org/climatechange/integrating_cc_risks.shtml 80 RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm 81 See ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html 82 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. Paraguay and Uruguay are not involved in this initiative. 83 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/

http://www.adaptationlearning.net/project/integrating-climate-change-risks-and-opportunities-national-development-processes-and-unite-2






Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)









n

El Salvador: Further information required.



project “Capacity



Change”84













Development Plans.

Spain, UNDP

Budget:

US$3.6 million

UNDP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration

2009–2011 Government LAC Region:

Including

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Mexico,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In El Salvador: Further information required


Climate change and

adaptation in

Mesoamerica85




communities

Green

Mountain

Coffee

Roasters


Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Mexico,

Nicaragua

In El Salvador: Analysis of climate change impacts on suitable locations for coffee


84 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf 85 CIAT, http://dapa.ciat.cgiar.org/cup-coffee-under-pression-adaptacion-del-cafe-al-cambio-climatico-en-centroamerica






Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)



Phase II86













IADB, UK,

Denmark,

Spain, EU,

Germany

ECLAC, CCAD,

SIECA

Policy

formation and

integration;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


Coastal zone

management

Regional:

Belize, Costa

Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In El Salvador: A crop impact study for agriculture has been undertaken and published.



Initiative87







United States

Department

of State

(USDS)

U.S. Peace

Corps, USDS

Community-

based

adaptation;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


Costa Rica,

Dominican

Republic, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Guyana,

Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama,

Paraguay,

Peru,

Suriname










Spain

Budget:

US$4,375,233

UNEP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and


Agriculture;

Freshwater

supply

LAC Region:

Phase 1: 19

RIOCC

countries88

86 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html 87 ECPA, http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives/default.aspx?id=35




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

Caribbean associated capacity of key regional and










integration

Phase 2: 3–5

countries

(Dominican

Republic 1st

country

selected)



Plans are in place to expand adaptation programming in El Salvador. Action has been proposed in the areas of sustainable natural

resources management, food security and coastal zone management, to be funded by the United States Agency for International

Development (USAID), as well as significant planned investments in strengthening infrastructure resilience in San Salvador. The Inter-

American Development Bank (IADB) is also preparing a program to support structural reform in the area of climate change and energy,

although further details on the program have not yet been released. Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions in El Salvador


(if any)

1. Sustainable Management of

Natural Resources

Working with the Ministry of Environment, USAID will work to

improve sustainable management of natural resources in

protected areas, and the biological corridors connecting these

areas, and along the Salvadoran coastline. As a key component

of this effort, USAID will invest $1 million in biodiversity

activities in El Salvador that support adaptation to coastal and

marine threats, promote sustainable land use, and engage

communities that are affected by flooding and deforestation to

Capacity building Biodiversity; Coastal

zone management

Coasts, El Salvador

Notes: From USAID fast start finance notes.

88 The 19 RIOCC countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.



(if any)

help them address these challenges and make them more

resilient to climate change.

2. Food Security Program USAID will support food security programs that focus on ways

to protect areas of agricultural production likely to be impacted

by climate change. The program will work to reduce disaster

risks and vulnerability to climatic shocks in Central America by

improving information, such as Earth observation data. USAID

will help build the capacity for government and community

organizations to utilize early warning systems to prepare and

plan for disasters.

Capacity building;

Knowledge

communication

Agriculture; Disaster

risk management

Central America

Notes: From USAID Fast start finance notes; US$300,000 for the

whole of Central America.

3. Coastal zone adaptation USAID will invest an additional $1 million in adaptation projects

in the coastal zones of Central America.


management

Central America

Notes: USAID program for Central America; budget of US$1 million

for the whole of Central America.

4. Support Structural Reform in

Climate Change and Energy

Policy formation and

integration

Multi-sectoral El Salvador

Notes: Under preparation by IADB.

5. Promoting Climate Change

Resilient Infrastructure

Development in San

Salvador Metropolitan

Area89

Field implementation San Salvador

Metropolitan Area

Notes: Endorsed by the Adaptation Fund Board December 2010.

Planned implementing agency: UNDP

Proposed budget: US$5,425,000

E. Assessment

Overall, El Salvador has made progress in the area of adaptation, particularly in terms of research, capacities and political awareness.

Agriculture, water, coasts and, to a lesser extent, forests and ecosystems are acknowledged as the key sectors for adaptation in El

Salvador, and climate change is recognized as an important issue in the country’s development. At the policy level, it is expected that the

soon-to-be-released Second National Communication and national climate change policy will further specify areas and actions that

should be prioritized for adaptation. At the implementation level, current adaptation activities largely take place as part of regional or

89 Adaptation Fund, http://www.adaptation-fund.org/endorsed_concepts

http://www.adaptation-fund.org/endorsed_concepts


global projects and focus on capacity building and research. These projects are addressing needs in the priority sectors of agriculture,

water and coasts. Among identified future adaptation actions, the focus is on food security, biodiversity and policy reform.

References:

Central Intelligence Agency [CIA] (2011). El Salvador. The World Factbook. Retrieved from

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/es.html. Last updated 25 April 2011.



El Salvador (2010). Plan Quinqueñal de Desarrollo 2010–2014.

Fundación Nacional para el Desarrollo [FUNDE] (2003). Política y Plan de Acción de Convivencia con la Sequía en El Salvador.

Gavidia Medina (2001). Líneas Prioritarias de Acción para la Definición y Ejecución de una Estrategia de Adaptación al Cambio

Climático en El Salvador.

Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales [MARN] (2000). First National Communication of the Republic of El Salvador.

Retrieved from http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?such=j&symbol=SLV/COM/1%20B#beg

Romano, L. (2003). Evaluación de las Políticas para Enfrentar la Sequía en El Salvador dentro del Marco del Desarrollo y la

Transferencia de Tecnologías de Adaptación ante la Variabilidad y el Cambio Global del Clima.

United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] and Global Environment Facility [GEF] (2007). Vulnerabilidad y adaptación al

cambio climático de los pobladores rurales de la planicie costera central de El Salvador.

United States Department for State [USDS] (2011). Background Note: El Salvador. Last updated 30 March 2011. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2033.htm.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/es.html

http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?such=j&symbol=SLV/COM/1%20B#beg



4.0 Guatemala

CATIE Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (Spain) (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher

Education Centre)


Development)






CRiSTAL Climate Risk Screening Tool–Adaptation and Livelihoods



EU European Union

FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation





IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature

MARN Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales (Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources)


SEGEPLAN Sectretaría de Planificación y Programación (Secretariat for Planning and Programming)




UNEP United Nations Environmental Programme

UNFCCC United Nations of Framework Convention on Climate Change

UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund




With coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Honduras, the mountainous country of Guatemala covers an area of 108,889

square kilometers and has the largest population in Central America (estimated to be 14.36 million people). With political stability having

returned to the country since 1996, its economy has grown. Agriculture accounts for 26 per cent of exports (including traditional

products such as sugar, bananas and coffee, as well as new products such as winter vegetables, fruit and cut flowers). Other important

economic sectors include tourism and the export of textiles and apparel (USDS, 2011). Despite these gains, Gross Domestic Product

per capita remains about half of the average for Latin America and the Caribbean (at US$5,200 in 2010; CIA, 2010).


Guatemala’s size and topography mean that there is a wide variation in climate within the country, from hot and dry to cool and humid

areas. Current climate hazards include tropical storms and cyclones (with no clearly observed increasing or decreasing trend), droughts

(increasing trend) and extreme rainfall events resulting in floods (also no clear trend).

Key climate projections show an increase in mean monthly temperatures of between 0.6° to 3.4°C by 2050, depending on the emission

scenario and the season. There is much less clarity about rainfall, with climate models showing both increases and decreases depending

on the emissions scenarios. Sea levels are expected to rise, however the extent to which they will do so is uncertain due to other factors,

including the movement of tectonic plates (República de Guatemala, 2001).

National adaptation priorities have been identified in a number of key documents. Guatemala’s First National Communication to the

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) focuses its detailed vulnerability assessments on the health,

forest, staple foods and water sectors, implying that it is in these sectors where the impacts of climate change will be harshest (República

de Guatemala, 2001). Subsequent documents continue to refer to the sectors highlighted in the First National Communication. The

more recent “National Climate Change Policy,” developed by the government of President Alvaro Colom and published in 2009, lists as

key objectives capacity development, vulnerability reduction and adaptation, along with a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

(Guatemala, 2009). Within the policy, the following areas are considered relevant to adaptation action: health; agriculture, livestock and

food security; forest resources; integrated water resources management; ecosystems conservation and management; and infrastructure.


Based on these policy documents, health, water, agriculture, forests/ecosystems and infrastructure can be considered key sectors for

adaptation in Guatemala.

In terms of priority action, the First National Communication focuses solely on mitigation action and not adaptation priorities

(República de Guatemala, 2001). Similarly, the “National Climate Change Policy” does not identify specific adaptation priorities either,

but does propose the following guidelines which would strengthen adaptation: promote traditional and ancestral practices for natural

resource use and management; take preventive measures; adopt integrated water resources management and prioritize protection of

water bodies; and include climate variables in development planning (Guatemala, 2009). Additional studies conducted in two watersheds

in the context of a regional adaptation program identified adaptation measures for water and food security. For water, the report

proposes action on sanitation, demand management, irrigation, water storage, forest protection and reforestation, flood protection and

early warning systems. For food security, recommendations include organizational, commercial, technological, financial, normative and

territorial measures to vitalize the food production chain (MARN, 2007a, 2007b). Finally, in a study conducted on two watersheds, the

construction of flood barriers, water treatment plants and improvements in irrigation efficiency are proposed as important adaptation

measures (Guatemala, 2008).


The “National Climate Change Policy” (Guatemala, 2009) is Guatemala’s core policy document on climate change. It lays out the basis,

objectives, entry points, guidelines and legal basis for national climate change adaptation and mitigation. Key objectives include capacity

development, vulnerability reduction and adaptation, as well as climate change mitigation. The document specifies key sectors for

adaptation action, but does not indicate any specific actions or priorities.

Following on from this effort, the country is expected to publish its Second National Communication to the UNFCCC soon.

Guatemala’s Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) is the UNFCCC focal point and is leading all work related to

climate change for the government, including the drafting of the Second National Communication. The first Communication, dating

from 2001, presented the results of vulnerability assessments for various sectors, but did not indicate a way forward for adaptation.

Also within the policy space, in its current strategic plan, the Secretariat for Planning and Programming of Guatemala’s National

Planning Unit (SEGEPLAN) only mentions adaptation to climate change once in the context of territorial planning and risk

management (SEGEPLAN, 2010). A large IADB-funded capacity building project, to be launched in the near future, aims to strengthen


climate change institutions in the country through better interagency collaboration and the inclusion of climate change into a new

“National Policy for Disaster Risk Reduction” (see Section C).

Guatemala is a member of the Central American Integration System (SICA), the institutional framework for the integration of Central


together the environmental ministries of the SICA member states. Under the auspices of SICA and CCAD, a regional climate change

strategy has recently been developed (CCAD and SICA, 2010). The strategy summarizes climate information and sectoral vulnerabilities,

and proposes six strategic areas for action, including “Vulnerability and adaptation to climate variability and change, and risk

management.” Under this theme, nine strategic objectives (with over 150 measures) are listed: disaster risk reduction, agriculture and

food security, forest ecosystems and biodiversity, water, health, coastal-marine systems, tourism, indigenous people and public

infrastructure. The strategy’s other focal areas are: mitigation; capacity building; education, awareness raising, communication and




Responsible


1. First National Communication to

the UNFCCC

Ministry for

Environment and

Natural Resources

Published in 2001 Multi-sectoral On adaptation, it presents results of vulnerability

assessments in four sectors, but does not identify

adaptation actions.

2. National Climate Change Policy Ministry for

Environment and

Natural Resources

Published 2009 Multi-sectoral Presents a national policy framework on climate change

adaptation and mitigation. Capacity building, vulnerability

reduction and adaptation, and emissions reduction are

three key objectives. It also mentions key sectors for

adaptation.

3. Strategic Plan 2008-2012 Secretariat for Planning

and Programming

Published and

updated recently

Multi-sectoral Sets out strategic priorities of the development planning

system in seven interconnected strategies (public policy,

information and knowledge, planning, investment,

international cooperation, and institutional development).

Climate change and risk management are mentioned once

only, in the context of sectoral and territorial planning.

4. Second National Communication

to the UNFCCC

Ministry for

Environment and

Forthcoming



Responsible


Natural Resources


There is currently a very high level of adaptation activity in Guatemala. To date, the focus of adaptation projects has been on capacity

building, primarily in the water and agriculture sectors, as well as with respect to enhancing the capacity of the government to respond

to climate change impacts. In addition, investments have been made in a coastal zone management, forestry and disaster risk

management. Gaps in programming appear to exist with respect to human health, the built environment and gender. Projects have been

supported by a wide range of funders and implementers, from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World

Bank, to high levels of involvement from the government and local non-governmental organizations (usually as implementers).

Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Guatemala


Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

National Actions

1. Strengthening

Environmental Governance

in the face of Climate

Change Risks in Guatemala90

Develop environmental governance

mechanisms to strengthen adaptive

capacity, especially among poorest people,

through implementation of three national

policies and implementation of

demonstrative interventions.

Spain,

through the

MDG

Achievement

Fund, UNICEF,

UNDP, FAO

UNDP Capacity

building,

2008–2011 Government National and

focused

2. Empowering Guatemala’s

Indigenous Communities to

Cope with Climate Change91

To increase indigenous peoples’ resilience

to climate change through: climate change

and adaptation training; development of a

legal framework for recognition of

indigenous and communal land by the

National Council of Protected Areas; legal

recognition for five community and

indigenous natural reserves to help them

World Bank

Budget: USD

199,000

Sotz’il,

Conservation

International

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration

2010 Civil society Indigenous

communities

(localities

unknown)

90 MDG Fund, http://www.mdgfund.org/program/strengtheningenvironmentalgovernancefaceclimaterisksguatemala 91 World Bank, http://wbi.worldbank.org/developmentmarketplace/idea/empowering-guatemala%E2%80%99s-indigenous-communities-cope-climate-change

http://www.mdgfund.org/program/strengtheningenvironmentalgovernancefaceclimaterisksguatemala

http://wbi.worldbank.org/developmentmarketplace/idea/empowering-guatemala%E2%80%99s-indigenous-communities-cope-climate-change



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

access incentives for sustainable

management; and participation in national-

level climate-change adaptation policy

dialogues to incorporate indigenous

knowledge and to be part of proposed

action plans and strategies.

3. Characterization and

Diagnosis of Climate Hazards

and Vulnerabilities in the

areas of Sierra de las Minas

and Refugio de Vida

Silvestre Bocas del Polochic

Applications of the CRiSTAL tool through 31

community workshops with a view to

identifying key climate hazards and

vulnerabilities of the concerned

communities. The results will help local

organizations to implement local adaptation

activities.

IUCN IUCN Research;

Community-

based

adaptation

2010 Agriculture;

Forestry;

Biodiversity;

Freshwater

supply

Sierra de las

Minas and

Refugio de

Vida Silvestre

Bocas del

Polochic

4. Integral Disaster Risk

Management Capacity

Strengthening92

Support the Government in the preparation

and discussion of the Disaster Risk

Reduction National Policy and the Risk

Integral Management National Strategy.

Moreover, this project will help the

government in the improvement of its

identification, evaluation and risk estimation

skills, incorporating climate change

modeling tools.

IADB Government of

Guatemala

Capacity

building


Disaster risk

management

National

5. Program to Support the

Climate Change Agenda of

Guatemala93

Develop a series of initiatives that allow for

there to be a strengthening of climate

change activities in the country. Among the

expected activities for the program are: (i)

institutional strengthening at different

levels of the government; (ii) climate

change mitigation through energy efficiency

activities; and (iii) adaptation in priority

Inter-

American

Development

Bank (loan)

Government of

Guatemala

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration

2010–2012 Government National

92 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=GU-T1135 93 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/mobile/projects/project.cfm?id=GU-L1063&lang=en

http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=GU-T1135

http://www.iadb.org/mobile/projects/project.cfm?id=GU-L1063&lang=en



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

sectors.



and Integration into

Integrated Water Resource

Management94

Water resource managers and communities

in general, are able to improve their

capacity to integrate climate change

adaptation into their local development

plans, using their own local knowledge

enhancement and individual capacity

building.

UNEP UNEP, CATIE,

CATHALAC

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration


supply

Regional: Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Guatemala: Community consultations in Puerto Barrios, Izabal, Guatemala


Change95












resilient plans.

Red

Cross/Red

Crescent

Climate

Centre

National Red

Cross/Red

Crescent

Societies

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration

Phase 1:

2006–2009

Phase 2:

ongoing

Disaster risk

management

Global: 39

countries

In Phase 1:

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Guatemala: All four steps of the project have been completed.


Strategies and Risk

Reduction towards


Shocks: Lessons


Meso-America96







data.

Inter-

American

Institute for

Global Change

Research

Budget:

Universidad del

Valle de

Guatemala


Costa Rica,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

and Mexico

94 UNEP, http://www.cep.unep.org/meetings-events/5th-lbs-istac/5th_lbs_istac_documents/cathalac-2009-climate-change-adaptation-in-iwrm-en.pdf 95 IFRC, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/preparedness-for-climate-change-programme 96 IAI, http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/CRN2/Factsheets/CRN2_60.pdf and http://www.iai.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=68

http://www.cep.unep.org/meetings-events/5th-lbs-istac/5th_lbs_istac_documents/cathalac-2009-climate-change-adaptation-in-iwrm-en.pdf





Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

US$579,987

In Guatemala: Project sites: Santiago Atitlán, San Lucas Tolimán, Nueva Santa Rosa, Santa

María Ixhuatán

9. Community-based

Adaptation (CBA)

Programme97

The objective of the program is to enhance

the capacity of communities in the pilot

countries to adapt to climate change

including variability. Planned outcomes are:

• Enhanced adaptive capacity allows

communities to reduce their vulnerability

to adverse impacts of future climate

hazards;

• National policies and programs include

community-based adaptation priorities to

promote replication, up-scaling and

integration of best practices derived from

community-based adaptation projects;

and

• Cooperation among member countries

promotes global innovation in adaptation

to climate change including variability.

GEF (Strategic

Priority on

Adaptation),

co-financing

Budget:

US$4.5 million

UNDP Knowledge

communicatio

n; Capacity

Building;

Community-

based

adaptation

2009–2011 Multi-sectoral Global:

Bangladesh,

Bolivia,

Guatemala,

Jamaica,

Kazakhstan,

Morocco,

Namibia,

Niger,

Samoa,

Viet Nam

In Guatemala: Implementation of the “Rio Tojguech Project: Micro-basin level adaptation

to climate change through tree nurseries for hydrological and soil management”98

Objectives: The UNDP community-based adaptation project compliments baseline IUCN

reforestation activities (establishment of tree nurseries), builds community capacity to

manage key watershed ecosystems and influences local environmental management

policies by sharing lessons learned.

Location: Tojguech River, San Marcos province, Western Guatemala

Priority sectors: Water; Forestry



Phase II99








IADB, UK,

Denmark,

Spain, EU,

Germany

ECLAC, CCAD,

SIECA

Policy

formation and

integration;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


Coastal zone

management

Regional:

Belize, Costa

Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua,

97 UNDP, http://www.undp-adaptation.org/projects/websites/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203 98 UNDP, http://www.undp-adaptation.org/projects/websites/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=256&sub=1 99 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html

http://www.undp-adaptation.org/projects/websites/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203

http://www.undp-adaptation.org/projects/websites/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=256&sub=1




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)






Panama

In Guatemala: A crop impact study for agriculture has been undertaken and published.



project “Capacity



Change”100













Development Plans.

Spain, UNDP

Budget:

US$3.6 million

UNDP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration


Including

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Mexico,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In Guatemala: Further information required.

12. Climate Change









Spain ECLAC,

University of

Cantabria,

national

counterparts

Capacity

building;

Assessment;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


management

Most RIOCC

countries,104

including all

in Central

America

100 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf 101 Countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela 102 RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm 104 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. Paraguay and Uruguay are not involved in this initiative.






Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)










Guatemala Further information required.



Sustainable Forest


America105














Spain INIA, CIFOR,

CATIE,

Polytechnical

University of

Madrid (UPM)

Capacity

building;

Research;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


countries

Guatemala: Further information required.


Climate change and

adaptation in

Mesoamerica106




communities

Green

Mountain

Coffee

Roasters


Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Mexico,

Nicaragua

In Guatemala: Analysis of climate change impacts on suitable locations for coffee

103 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html 105 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/ 106 CIAT, http://dapa.ciat.cgiar.org/cup-coffee-under-pression-adaptacion-del-cafe-al-cambio-climatico-en-centroamerica





Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)






Caribbean















Spain

Budget:

US$4,375,233

UNEP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration


Agriculture;

Freshwater

supply

LAC Region:

Phase 1: 19

RIOCC

countries107

Phase 2: 3-5

countries

(Dominican

Republic 1st

country

selected)

Guatemala: Further information required.



Initiative108







United States

Department

of State

(USDS)

U.S. Peace

Corps, USDS

Community-

based

adaptation;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


Costa Rica,

Dominican

Republic, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Guyana,

Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama,

Paraguay,

Peru,

Suriname


107 The 19 RIOCC countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. 108 ECPA, http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives/default.aspx?id=35

http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives/default.aspx?id=35



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

17. Integrated Coastal

Management with Special

Emphasis on the Sustainable

Management of Mangrove

Forests in Guatemala,

Honduras and Nicaragua109

Promote the sustainable use of marine and

coastal resources through the development

of integrated coastal management plans at

the national and local levels; strengthen

national capacity for implementing

integrated coastal management, including

the sustainable management of mangroves;

support sustainable livelihoods of coastal



reefs and seagrass beds, protect coastlines

against erosion and extreme weather

events, protect coral reefs and seagrass

beds from siltation, and enhance the role of

mangroves in trapping sediments; maintain

mangroves as nurseries for fisheries and

habitats for biodiversity.

UNEP, Spain UNEP,

Ministries of

Environment

and Fisheries

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration;

Field

implementati

on


management


Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Guatemala: Focus on Caribbean coast; specific tasks to be determined.

18. Partners for Resilience110 To increase the resilience of citizens against

natural disasters, climate change and the

deterioration of ecosystems, through

various intervention strategies: stimulating

sustainable economic developments;

strengthening the capacity of local

organizations and local authorities, among

other things by making a risk assessment,

natural disaster risk management plans and

warning systems; advocacy and stimulation

of knowledge sharing between


institutes and the private sector in the field

of natural disaster reduction and climate

Netherlands

Budget: EUR

40 million

Dutch Red

Cross, Red

Cross Climate

Centre, CARE,

Cordaid,

Wetlands

International

Capacity

building;

Knowledge

communicatio

n

2011–2015 Disaster risk

management

Global:

Ethiopia,

Guatemala,

India,

Indonesia,

Kenya, Mali,

Nicaragua,

the

Philippines,

Uganda


109 SIAGUA, http://www.siagua.org/?pid=4000&id=13901&tipo=noticias 110 Red Cross, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/partners-for-resilience





Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

adaptation.


Beyond current adaptation action, several large projects have been proposed for implementation in Guatemala. These include two food

security programs and a coastal zone management project, with potential funding from the United States Agency for International

Development (USAID). Another large project on increasing climate resilience in agriculture is waiting for approval from the Adaptation

Fund.

Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions in Guatemala


(if any)

1. Climate Change Resilient

Productive Landscapes and

Socio-economic Networks

Advanced in Guatemala111

Increase climate resilience in productive landscapes and

socio-economic systems in pilot municipalities, threatened by

climate change and climatic variability impacts, in particular

hydro-meteorological events that are increasing in frequency

and intensity.

Capacity building;

Research; Community

-based adaptation

Agriculture Five core priority

municipalities,

departments of

Suchitepéquez and

Chimaltenango; another

10 municipalities under

consideration

Notes: Concept approved by Adaptation Fund Board.

Planned implementing agency: UNDP

2. Food Security Support USAID investments of $1.4 million for food security support

climate change adaptation by providing agricultural

technology to small-scale producers. The assistance guides

farmers in improving soil maintenance to reduce erosion and

agricultural chemical use, as well as in modifying coffee-

milling processes to reduce waste discharge. As a result,

farmers will be able to reduce soil loss from high precipitation

events, which may become more frequent due to climate

Knowledge

communication

Agriculture Western Highlands

Notes: From USAID fast start finance notes.

111 Adaptation Fund, http://www.adaptation-fund.org/document/1316-climate-change-resilient-production-landscapes-and-socio-economic-networks-advanced-gu

http://www.adaptation-fund.org/document/1316-climate-change-resilient-production-landscapes-and-socio-economic-networks-advanced-gu

http://www.adaptation-fund.org/document/1316-climate-change-resilient-production-landscapes-and-socio-economic-networks-advanced-gu



(if any)

change, and to reduce runoff into streams and lakes, avoiding

negative impacts on water quality. The activities will primarily

be undertaken in Guatemala’s Western Highlands.

3. Food Security Program USAID will support food security programs that focus on

ways to protect areas of agricultural production likely to be

impacted by climate change. The program will work to reduce

disaster risks and vulnerability to climatic shocks in Central

America by improving information, such as Earth observation

data. USAID will help build the capacity for government and

community organizations to utilize early warning systems to

prepare and plan for disasters.

Capacity building;

Knowledge

communication

Agriculture;

Disaster risk

management

Central America

Notes: From USAID fast start finance notes; US$300,000 for the

whole of Central America.

4. Coastal zone adaptation USAID will invest an additional $1 million in adaptation

projects in the coastal zones of Central America.


management

Central America

Notes: USAID program for Central America; budget of US$1 million

for the whole of Central America.


in Guatemala’s Corredor

Seco112

Reduce the vulnerability of poor communities in Guatemala’s

dry corridor to adverse impacts of climate change through

the implementation of adaptation measures aiming at (a)

maintaining or enhancing ecosystem services, (b) increasing

the resilience of agricultural production systems, and (c)

raising awareness of climate change related problems.

Capacity building;

Community-based

adaptation

Ecosystem

restoration;

Agriculture;

Biodiversity;

Forestry

Corredor Seco

Notes: A feasibility study is in progress, with an expectation that

implementation will occur between 2012 and 2017.

E. Assessment

As with most of its neighbors, Guatemala has to date only submitted one National Communication. However, as the IADB noted when

announcing its large capacity building and governance loan to the Guatemalan government, there is currently a lot of momentum in the

country on climate change policy. The government has developed a “National Climate Change Policy” and funding has been approved

for adaptation, though no specific government plans relating to adaptation have yet been made available. And while sectors have not

explicitly been prioritized, key documents largely overlap in identifying health, agriculture, water, forests, ecosystems and infrastructure

112 Personal communication, representative of the Adaptation Partnership, October 2011.


as key areas. Programmatically, there have been quite a number of important adaptation project implemented and, significant, larger

projects have recently been approved or are pending approval. To date activities have focused on governance and capacity building

(mostly for government institutions), as well as more local-level issues related to water and agriculture. Projects relating to forests tend

to focus on mitigation rather than adaptation. Despite being a significant concern, there are no current or proposed activities associated

with the health sector.

References:

Central Intelligence Agency [CIA] (2011). Guatemala. The World Factbook. Retrieved from

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gt.html.



Guatemala (2009). Política Nacional de Cambio Climático.

Guatemala (2008). Evaluación y Planificación del Recurso Hídrico a través de WEAP.

Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales [MARN] (2007a). Análisis de Vulnerabilidad Futura de los Granos Básicos al Cambio

Climático. Ministerio de Ambiente y Recursos Naturales.

Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales [MARN] (2007b). Análisis de Vulnerabilidad Futura de los Recursos Hídricos al

Cambio Climático. Ministerio de Ambiente y Recursos Naturales.

República de Guatemala (2001). Primera Comunicación Nacional sobre Cambio Climático. Retrieved from


Sectretaría de Planificación y Programación [SEGEPLAN] (2010). Plan estratégico SEGEPLAN 2008-2012.



United States Department for State [USDS] (2010). Background Note: Guatemala. Last updated 22 March 2010. Retrieved from




5.0 Honduras


Development)







CRiSTAL Climate Risk Screening Tool–Adaptation and Livelihoods

CVCA Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis




IADB Inter-Americana Development Bank




SERNA Secretaría de Recursos Naturales y Ambiente (Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment)







One of the poorest countries in Central America, economic and social development in Honduras was significantly set back by Hurricane

Mitch in 1998. Although slowly recovering from this event, above 65 per cent of the country’s 8.1 million people live in poverty (USDS,


2010). In recent years, Honduras has diversified its economy away from a historical dependence on the export of bananas and coffee;

industry now forms more than a quarter of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). About 30 per cent of the country’s GDP

comes from exports to the United States (CIA, 2011). The country’s largest source of foreign income is remittances, primarily from

Hondurans living in the United States (USDS, 2010).


Honduras is considered to be highly vulnerable to a range of current and future climatic risks. The Central American country is already

experiencing rising temperatures and increasing variability in rainfall. There have been prolonged and more intense droughts in southern

and eastern regions, as well as more intense rainfall events in northern areas. Cyclonic activity over the Atlantic has increased and sea

levels are rising. Most of these tendencies are expected to worsen with ongoing climate change (UNDP, 2008).

The “National Climate Change Strategy” proposes lines of action for adaptation in priority sectors (SERNA, 2011):

Freshwater – Reduce drought impacts and strengthen groundwater recharge; mitigate climate-induced changes in river flows; and

prevent and avoid reductions in water quality.

Agriculture, soils and food security – Help farmers adapt to climate change by improving crop and pasture resilience and through

prevention and reduction of climate change-induced plagues and diseases; avoid soil erosion, productivity losses and possible

desertification of soils; and preserve and improve nutrition; and contribute to food security under climate change conditions.

Forests and biodiversity – Preserve the function, structure and composition of ecosystems in the long run, with a view to improving

their adaptive capacity; prevent forest loss from forest fires and plagues; and implement adequate forest management for

protection and production.

Marine and coastal systems – Preserve the structure and dynamics of marine and coastal ecosystems in the context of climate

change, particularly sea level rise as well as increases in sea and air temperatures.

Human health – Reduce the incidence and geographic distribution of human diseases caused by climate change effects.

Risk management system – Reduce risks and impacts associated with the occurrence of extreme hydro-meteorological events that

climate change renders more frequent, intense and long; encourage climate-proof infrastructure; and strengthen the civil security

and governance of the country to prevent, reduce and address temporal and permanent displacements of human populations.

Hydropower – Facilitate adaptation of hydroelectric power plants.


These priorities will also be reflected in Honduras’ Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is expected to be published soon. The First National Communication focused on similar areas

(SERNA 2000). Proposed adaptation measures range from awareness raising, improved science and monitoring to structural measures

such as improved water storage or life barriers. However, no prioritization of adaptation measures has been conducted to date.


Honduras’ development plan and vision for 2010 to 2038 identifies climate change adaptation and mitigation as one of 11 strategic

themes (Honduras 2010). On adaptation, the strategy mentions the development of monitoring and measurement systems, early warning

systems, new forms of soil use and agricultural production, construction codes, local risk management, preventative land-use planning,

water storage and watershed conservation as key measures. In the longer run, it is recognized that climate change should be

mainstreamed into sectoral planning and into all public and private investment decisions. Climate change is also mentioned as a cross-

cutting issue under other strategic themes such as “Regional Development, Natural Resources and Environment.” Furthermore, the

plan contains a set of strategic objectives, of which one is to reduce climate risk as measured by the Global Climate Risk Index.

According to this index, Honduras is currently the third most vulnerable country globally. The government wants the country to drop to

number 50 in this ranking. The “National Climate Change Strategy” translates these broader goals into strategic lines of action for

adaptation and mitigation (see above).

The national authority in charge of climate change issues is the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment (SERNA). SERNA is

responsible for the implementation of international treaties (such as the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol). As such, SERNA leads the

elaboration of National Communications and of the “National Strategy on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.” The United

Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided crucial support to SERNA in the elaboration of these documents.

Honduras is a member of Central American Integration System (SICA), the institutional framework for the integration of Central


together environmental ministries of SICA member states. Under the auspices of the SICA and CCAD, a regional climate change

strategy has recently been developed (CCAD and SICA, 2010). The strategy summarizes climate information and sectoral vulnerabilities

and proposes six strategic areas, of which one is themed “Vulnerability and adaptation to climate variability and change, and risk

management”. Nine strategic objectives with over 150 measures relating to disaster risk reduction, agriculture and food security, forest







Responsible



the UNFCCC

Secretariat for Natural

Resources and

Environment

Released in 2000 Multi-sectoral First report to UNFCCC. On adaptation, it presents some

available results of vulnerability studies on water and

coasts, as well as adaptation measures for these sectors

and for forests, agriculture and biodiversity.

2. National Vision for 2010 - 2038

and National Plan for 2010 - 2022

Government of

Honduras

Released January

2010

Multi-sectoral Sets out strategic objectives and themes for both the mid-

term (national plan) and the long-term (national vision).

Climate change mitigation and adaptation is one of 11

strategic themes and also mentioned as a cross-cutting

topic under other themes. One of the Plan’s strategic

objectives is to reduce climate risk.


to the UNFCCC


Resources and

Environment

To be published

shortly

Multi-sectoral Second report to UNFCCC, not yet released. It will present

available results of vulnerability studies as well as proposed

adaptation measures for water, agriculture, forests,

biodiversity, marine and coastal systems, natural disasters

and national infrastructure.

4. National Strategy on Climate

Change


Resources and

Environment

Drafted Multi-sectoral Presents a national strategy on both mitigation and

adaptation, containing vulnerability information and priority

measures for the sectors mentioned. The strategy is in line

with the current National Plan for 2010-2022.


Relative to other Central American countries, there are a high number of projects being implemented in Honduras. Most of these

projects have so far mainly focused on research, and are being implemented as part of larger, multi-country regional or global initiatives.

One larger project involving concrete adaptation action, called “Encouraging Climate Change Adaptation in High-Risk Municipalities

and Communities in Honduras,” is currently being implemented. Honduras will also host one of the first projects financed by the

Adaptation Fund. Both projects are run by UNDP in collaboration with SERNA, probably the two most important actors on adaptation


in Honduras. It is likely that some non-governmental organizations undertake certain adaptation actions on the community-level but

these have not been identified through this review.

Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Honduras


Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

National Actions

1. Honduras Community

Vulnerability Assessment

and Identification of

Adaptation needs in the

Island communities of Punta

Gorda, Sandy Bay, Utila,

Chachahuate and East End

Assess the vulnerability to climate hazards

and change of five coastal communities of

the Bay Islands of Honduras, through field-

based methodologies and participatory

tools such as CRiSTAL and CARE’s Climate

Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis (CVCA)

methodology.

DFID through

World Wildlife

Fund

Luna

Environmental

consultants in

collaboration

with SERNA

and the

Honduran Coral

Reef Alliance

Research Released in

October

2009

Coastal zone

management

Punta Gorda,

Sandy Bay,

Utila,

Chachahuate

and East End

(Bay Islands)

2. Encouraging Climate

Change Adaptation in High-

risk Municipalities and

Communities in Honduras

Improving capacities of the Honduran

society to face the impacts of climate

change, through improvements in the

social, economic and environmental drivers

of well-being

Swiss

Development

Cooperation

Budget:

US$0.5 million

UNDP Research;

Capacity

building; Field

implementati

on

2010–2011 Rural areas Tegucigalpa

(capital),

Northern

Coast, maybe

others

3. Addressing Climate Change

Risks on Water Resources in

Honduras: Increased

systemic resilience and

reduced vulnerability of the

urban poor113

Reduce the vulnerability of at least 13,000 of

the poorest households in the capital region

of Tegucigalpa in Honduras by improving

water management. The region already

suffers from a constant water shortage in

many of its poor neighborhoods and an

inability to harness the occasional heavy

rains that cause floods and landslides

resulting from rising temperatures brought

about by climate change.

Adaptation

Fund

Budget:

US$5.7 million

UNDP, SERNA Field

implementati

on


supply; Urban

areas

Tegucigalpa

(Capital)

113 Adaptation Fund, http://adaptation-fund.org/node/1231

http://adaptation-fund.org/node/1231



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)





Management114







building.

United

Nations

Environment

Programme

(UNEP)

UNEP, CATIE,

CATHALAC

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration


supply


Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Honduras: Community consultations in Tela, Honduras


Strategies and Risk

Reduction towards


Shocks: Lessons


Meso-America115







data.

Inter-

American

Institute for

Global Change

Research

Budget:

US$579,987

Universidad del

Valle de

Guatemala


Costa Rica,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

and Mexico

In Honduras: La Campa and Concepción del Sur in Southern Honduras



Phase II116












IADB, UK,

Denmark,

Spain, EU,

Germany

ECLAC, CCAD,

SIECA

Policy

formation and

integration;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


Coastal zone

management

Regional:

Belize, Costa

Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In Honduras: A crop impact study for agriculture has been undertaken and published.

114 UNEP, http://www.cep.unep.org/meetings-events/5th-lbs-istac/5th_lbs_istac_documents/cathalac-2009-climate-change-adaptation-in-iwrm-en.pdf 115 IAI, http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/CRN2/Factsheets/CRN2_60.pdf and http://www.iai.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=68 116 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html






Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)



Change117












resilient plans.

Red

Cross/Red

Crescent

Climate

Centre

National Red

Cross/Red

Crescent

Societies

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration

Phase 1:

2006–2009

Phase 2:

ongoing

Disaster risk

management

Global: 39

countries

In Phase 1:

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Honduras: All four steps of the project have been completed.




sectors118













United

Nations

Foundation;

Switzerland;

Finland;

Spain; and

Norway

Budget:

US$6,953,413

UNDP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


19

countries119

including

Costa Rica,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Honduras: The analysis focused on water.120





Spain, UNDP

UNDP Capacity

building;


Including

117 IFRC, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/preparedness-for-climate-change-programme 118 UNDP, http://www.undp.org/climatechange/capacity-development.html 119 These countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Gambia, Honduras, Liberia, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Togo, Turkmenistan and Uruguay. 120 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/honduras-en.aspx


http://www.undp.org/climatechange/capacity-development.html

http://www.undpcc.org/content/honduras-en.aspx



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

project “Capacity



Change”121











Development Plans.

Budget:

US$3.6 million

Policy

formation and

integration

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Mexico,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In Honduras: See above description for the project “Capacity Development for Policy


10. Climate Change Vulnerability

Evaluation of Coastal and

Marine Areas123
















Spain ECLAC,

University of

Cantabria,

national

counterparts

Capacity

building;

Assessment;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


management

Most RIOCC

countries,125

including all

in Central

America

In Honduras: Further information required.

122 Countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela 121 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf 123 RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm 124 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html 125 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. Paraguay and Uruguay are not involved in this initiative.







Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)



Sustainable Forest


America126














Spain INIA, CIFOR,

CATIE,

Polytechnical

University of

Madrid (UPM)

Capacity

building;

Research;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


countries127


12. Climate Risk Management

Technical Assistance

Support Project: Phase II128

The project aims at increasing in-country


climate risks.

Sweden

through SIDA,

UNDP core

finance

UNDP Policy

formation and

integration


16

countries129

including

Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Honduras: The project encompasses crop impacts studies, elaboration of risk maps, and

a prioritization exercise of adaptation and risk reduction measures.

Implementing Agency: International Institute for Sustainable Development

Priority sector(s): Agriculture

126 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/ 127 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. 128 UNDP, http://www.undp.org/cpr/documents/disaster/3Disaster%20Risk%20Reduction%20-%20Climate%20Risk%20Management.pdf 129 These countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Dominican Republic, Honduras, India, Kenya, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Timor-Leste and Uganda.




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)





Caribbean















Spain

Budget:

US$4,375,233

UNEP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration


Agriculture;

Freshwater

supply

LAC Region:

Phase 1: 19

RIOCC

countries130

Phase 2: 3-5

countries

(Dominican

Republic 1st

country

selected)




Initiative131







United States

Department

of State

(USDS)

U.S. Peace

Corps, USDS

Community-

based

adaptation;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


Costa Rica,

Dominican

Republic, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Guyana,

Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama,

Paraguay,

Peru,

Suriname

In Honduras: To be determined

15. Integrated Coastal Promote the sustainable use of marine and UNEP, Spain UNEP, Capacity 2011–2014 Coastal zone Regional:

130 The 19 RIOCC countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. 131 ECPA, http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives/default.aspx?id=35




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)






















Ministries of

Environment

and Fisheries

building;

Policy

formation and

integration;

Field

implementati

on

management Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Honduras: Focus on Caribbean coast; specific tasks to be determined.


In the future it is expected that Honduras will participate in two regional projects supported by the United States Agency for

International Development (USAID), one focused on food security and the second on coastal zone management.

Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions as described in the National Strategy and Action Plan on Environment and Climate Change


(if any)



impacted by climate change. The program will work to

reduce disaster risks and vulnerability to climatic shocks in

Central America by improving information, such as Earth

observation data. USAID will help build the capacity for

government and community organizations to utilize early

Capacity building;

Knowledge

communication


risk management

Central America

Notes: From USAID Fast start finance notes; US$300,000 for the whole

of Central America.

132 SIAGUA, http://www.siagua.org/?pid=4000&id=13901&tipo=noticias




(if any)





management

Central America

Notes: USAID program for Central America; budget of US$1 million for


E. Assessment

Honduras is considered highly vulnerable to climate risks. A good number of adaptation activities are already taking place to counter

these risks, though most of them have focused on research and capacity building. The country’s adaptation needs have been identified

to some extent but not prioritized, and the institutional capacity to undertake action seems relatively week. However, a new

development plan and vision presented by the government in 2010 highlights climate change as a major concern. Furthermore, the

government is soon expected to finalize its “National Strategy on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation” as well as its Second

National Communication. These documents, along with a range of vulnerability research projects, will form a sounder basis for

designing specific adaptation measures. The project “Addressing Climate Change Risks on Water Resources in Honduras: Increased

Systemic Resilience and Reduced Vulnerability of the Urban Poor” recently approved by the Adaptation Fund Board draws explicitly on

the governments development plan and vision, and on the research projects and on preliminary results of the Second National

Communication, indicating thereby how this foundation might turn into action in the future.

References:

Central Intelligence Agency [CIA] (2011). Honduras. The World Factbook. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-

world-factbook/geos/ho.html.



República de Honduras (2010). Visión de País 2010–2038 y Plan de Nación 2010–2022.


Secretaría de Recursos Naturales y Ambiente [SERNA] (2000). Primera Comunicación de Honduras a la Convención Marco de las

Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio Climático. Retrieved from


Secretaría de Recursos Naturales y Ambiente [SERNA] (2011). Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático Honduras (ENCC).

United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] (2008). El cambio climático en Honduras: una realidad del presente.

United States Department for State [USDS] (2010). Background Note: Honduras. Last updated 18 August 2010. Retrieved from





6.0 Mexico

BMZ Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (Federal Ministry for Economic

Cooperation and Development) (Germany)

CATHALAC Centro del Agua del Trópico Húmedo para América Latina y el Caribe (Water Center for the Humid Tropics of



CICC Comisión Intersecretarial de Cambio Climático (Intersecretarial Commission on Climate Change)






IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development

IMTE Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua (Mexican Institute of Water Technology)

INE National Institute of Ecology

OAS Organization of American States

PEACC State-Action Plan against Climate Change

PRM Presidencia de la República de Mexico (Presidency of the Republic of Mexico)


SEMARNAT Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Secretariat for Environment and Natural Resources)




A large and diverse country, Mexico is considered among the most developed countries in the world, achieving a level of Gross

Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of US$13,800 in 2010 (CIA, 2011). It is also noted for being the most populous Spanish-speaking


country in the world133 and was the first Latin American country to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and

Development. However, about 44 per cent of the population continues to live in poverty (USDS, 2010) and approximately 13 per cent

of Mexicans remains reliant upon the agricultural sector (CIA, 2011). Remittances are Mexico’s second largest source of foreign

currency, after oil (USDS, 2010).


As the largest state in Mesoamerica by far, Mexico has wide variations in climate and therefore faces a diversity of climate hazards,

ranging from hurricanes to droughts and coastal erosion. On average, temperatures have increased by 0.6oC since 1960. Mean rainfall

does not show any consistent trend. Projected mean warming is 1.3° to 4.8°C by 2090 according to different scenarios. For rainfall there

is a broad consistency among different models that mean precipitation will decrease in the future, but there is high uncertainty around

the mean (UNDP 2008). It should be noted, however, that the situation in individual areas can differ vastly from the country average.

Unsurprisingly for a large and relatively developed country like Mexico, there is a significant amount of ongoing work to increase its

capacity to adapt to climate change at the national and sub-national levels. Mexico submitted its Fourth National Communication to the

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December 2009, and currently is in the process of preparing

its Fifth National Communication (expected to be completed in 2012). Climate change receives ample recognition in the National

Development Plan; and there is an overall climate change strategy as well as sectoral ones. Mexico’s size and high level of capacity

results in a need and ability to spread adaptation efforts across many sectors. Coasts, water, agriculture, fisheries and human health have

received the most attention, but vulnerability studies and adaptation options are also available for other sectors, including energy,

transportation, human settlements, biodiversity and tourism.


Mexico’s government recognizes the relevance of climate change for development in its six-year “National Development Plan” for 2007

to 2012 (PRM, 2007). The plan contains five strategic themes, one of which is dedicated to environmental sustainability. Under this

theme, one of twelve strategic objectives is adaptation to climate change. This objective is to be achieved through four strategies: design

and develop national adaptation capacities; develop regional climate scenarios; evaluate impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate

change in different socioeconomic sectors and ecosystems; and promote the diffusion of information on impacts, vulnerability and

adaptation measures.

133 It is projected that the population of Mexico will reach about 113,724,000 people in July 2011. An estimated 22 million Mexicans live in Mexico City (CIA, 2011).


To specify these directions, the Intersecretarial Commission on Climate Change (CICC) developed the “National Climate Change

Strategy’ (CICC, 2007). On adaptation, 10 lines of action are proposed: reform the institutional risk management structure; position the

current disaster response capacity as a platform to develop climate change adaptation capacities; identify opportunities for inter-sectoral

convergence; design a climate modeling program as part of the National Climate Information System; promote land-use and ecological

planning as a preventative tool against climate impacts; revise policies and public spending priorities to emphasize prevention; promote

vulnerability reduction and adaptation within municipal, regional and national development plans; promote the use of insurance

mechanisms as a tool for vulnerability reduction in different sectors; design a communications and education strategy to diffuse study

results and promote participation in preventive and corrective action; and promote the formation of human resources in operative and

prognostic meteorology. The strategy also identifies priority areas for adaptation studies. These are: hydro-meteorological risk

management and water; biodiversity and environmental services; agriculture and livestock; coastal zones; human settlements; energy; and

human health.

To implement the directions of both the “National Development Plan” and the climate change strategy, the CICC established the

Special Programme on Climate Change (PECC) as its sub-national program for the years 2009 to 2012. It presents public policies for

eight sectors: integrated risk management; water; agriculture, livestock and fisheries; ecosystems; energy, industry and services;

transportation and communication infrastructure; land-use planning and urban development; and public health. Overall, 37 adaptation

objectives and 142 adaptation targets are proposed. In the longer term, the program sees three big stages in the development of strategic

capacities: vulnerability evaluation and economic valuation of priority measures in the period of 2009 to 2012, of which the main

product will be an integrated adaptation system; strategic capacity development from 2013 to 2030; and consolidation between 2031 and

2050. Consistent with these objectives, a “State-Action Plan against Climate Change” (PEACC) has been developed under the guidance

of the National Institute of Ecology. The PEACC seeks to conduct assessment studies on climate change impacts and vulnerabilities at

the local level. Moreover, PEACC aims to identify and design appropriate adaptive measures and enhance local capacity.

In 2010, Mexico also established a Mid-term Adaptation Policy Framework. The main goal of this framework is to mainstream

adaptation measures into various sectors and to establish a baseline to develop a vision for adaptation to climate change in Mexico

towards the year 2030.

Mexico also has a number of sectoral policies that contain important adaptation objectives or measures, including sectoral programs on

environment and natural resources; agriculture, livestock and fisheries; governance; health; energy; and communications and transport.




Responsible


1. Initial National


UNFCCC

Department of the

Environment, Natural

Resources and Fisheries

Released on

December 1997

Multi-sectoral Identifies climatic scenarios and the associated vulnerabilities

of agriculture, human settlements, forests, water and coasts.

For each sector, priority regions were identified. Adaptation

measures were only identified to a very limited extent.

2. Second National


UNFCCC

Secretariat of

Environment and

Natural Resources

Released on July

2001

Multi-sectoral Heavy focus on mitigation; mentions only one adaptation

project and recommends undertaking more vulnerability

assessments.

3. Third National


UNFCCC

Ministry of

Environment and

Natural Resources

Released on

October 2007

Multi-sectoral Based on climate scenarios, detailed vulnerability information

is presented for water, agriculture, forestry, energy, health,

biodiversity and ecosystems, and tourism. For each sector,

adaptation measures are presented.

4. National Development Plan

2007–2012

Federal Government of

Mexico

Released in 2007 Multi-sectoral The National Development Plan consists of five strategic axes,

of which one is Environmental Sustainability. Under this axis,

one of 12 objectives is adaptation to climate change. This

objective is achieved through four strategies:

Strategy 1 – Promote the inclusion of aspects of adaptation

to climate change in planning and practice in different

sectors;

Strategy 2 – Development of regional climate scenarios;

Strategy 3 – Vulnerability, impact and adaptation

assessments for different socio-economic and ecological

systems; and

Strategy 4 – Promote the diffusion of information about

impacts, vulnerability and adaptation measures.

5. National Strategy of Climate

Change

CICC Released in

2007

Multi-sectoral The strategy details the direction of the National Development

Plan regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation. On

the latter, it outlines 10 lines of action to improve adaptive

capacity. It also identifies priority areas for future research. The

document further outlines the country’s needs to move

forward on adaptive capacity building. It also acknowledges

the current vulnerability of different sectors and areas, and

initiates projects that will increase national and local capacity,



Responsible


knowledge and ability to adapt.

6. Various Sectoral Programs Respective Secretariats Many released in

2007

Multi-sectoral Sectoral programs take into account the cross-sectoral aspects

of climate change action.

7. Special Program on Climate

Change 2009–2012

CICC Released in 2009 Multi-sectoral The Program presents a wide range of measures to be

implemented by the respective sectors. On adaptation, the

plan proposes 37 objectives and 142 targets.

8. Fourth National


UNFCCC

Secretariat of

Environment and

Natural Resources

(SEMARNAT)

Released in

December 2009

Multi-sectoral The adaptation section of the fourth report explains the

current government policies and programs on adaptation in

different sectors, provides updated scenarios and vulnerability

information on a wide range of sectors and some adaptation

options for each sector.

9. Mid-term Adaptation Policy

Framework 134

Directorate General for

Climate Change Policy

of SEMARNAT and the

Adaptation Working

Group (GT-Adapt) of

the CICC.

2010 Multi-sectoral The main goal of this framework is to mainstream adaptation

measures within various sectors and to establish a baseline to

develop a vision for adaptation to climate change in Mexico

towards the year 2030.

10. National Adaptation Strategy National Institute of

Ecology and Grupo de

Trabajo sobre Políticas y

estrategias de

adaptación de la CICC

In development Multi-sectoral The aim of this strategy is to strengthen the capacity and

design of adaptive measures to address climate change

impacts on different sectors. Among its objectives it addresses

variability and extreme events to reduce Mexico’s vulnerability

to climate change.


Within the last five years, a very high number of adaptation projects have been implemented in Mexico. This growth is in line with the

vast amount of vulnerability and adaptation knowledge that has been gained, as well as the country’s well-developed policy framework.

While many projects are related to research and capacity building, there are a number that help the federal or regional governments to

put their adaptation programs into practice. Funding for these initiatives is being provided by various donors, but the Inter-American

Development Bank, the World Bank and the government of Spain are particularly active. It is also noteworthy that a majority of

134 ALM, http://www.adaptationlearning.net/mid-term-adaptation-policy-framework-m%C3%A9xico

http://www.adaptationlearning.net/mid-term-adaptation-policy-framework-m%C3%A9xico


Mexico’s adaptation projects have been developed specifically to meet its needs; it is less actively engaged in projects that involve other

countries from within the region.

Table 2: Current Adaptation Projects and Programs in Mexico


Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

National Action

1. Adaptation to Climate

Change Impacts on the

Coastal Wetlands in the Gulf

of Mexico135

The objectives of this project are to: design

adaptation measures by taking into account

current federal programs in Mexico in the

region; promote adaptation measures in

highly vulnerable wetlands such as

strengthening earth barriers, reforestation

and stabilization of sand bars; assess the

impacts of climate change on water

resources planning at a national level and in

coastal wetlands; and project management

of the pilot project.

Special

Climate

Change

Fund, co-

financing

Budget:

US$21.639

million

The World

Bank, National

Institute of

Ecology of

Mexico

Policy

formation and

integration;

Field

implementati

on; Capacity

building

2007-2011

(preparatio

n phase)

2011-2015

(implement

ation

phase)

Coastal zone

management

Gulf of

Mexico

2. Mexico Climate Change

Development Policy Loan136

The project supports efforts to mainstream

climate change considerations into public

policy through reforms in three areas:

(i) improved analytical basis for policy

responses through the submission of a third

national communication to the United

Nations framework convention on climate

change; (ii) the approval of the national

climate change strategy by the

government’s Intersecretarial Commission

on Climate Change and its announcement by

the President; and (iii) the integration of

climate change considerations in sector

World Bank

Budget:

US$501.25

million (loan)

Government of

Mexico

Policy

formation and

integration

2008–2011

(closed)

Government National

135 World Bank, http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P100438 and GEF, http://gefonline.org/projectDetailsSQL.cfm?projID=3159 136 World Bank, http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?menuPK=228424&pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&Projectid=P110849

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P100438

http://gefonline.org/projectDetailsSQL.cfm?projID=3159

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?menuPK=228424&pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&Projectid=P110849



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

programs.

3. Support Program for the

Climate Change Agenda in

Mexico–Second

Operation137

The Program is structured as Second

Operation of the Programmatic PBL

approved in 2008. In support of the Climate

Change Agenda of México, and consists in

the following components: (i)

macroeconomic stability; (ii) institutional

framework; (iii) mitigation agenda; and (iv)

adaptation agenda.

IADB Government of

Mexico

Policy

formation and

integration

2009

(closed)

Government National

4. Development of Climate

Change State Action Plan

for Tlaxcala an Quintana

Roo

This project aims at identifying mitigation

measures to reduce greenhouse gas

emissions and to implement adaptation to

climate change. These findings and

proposals are aimed to contribute to

Quintana Roo’s and Tlaxcal’s development

policies and strategies.

Agencia

Española de

Cooperación

Internacional

para el

Desarrollo

Budget:

€192.000 per

state

Government of

Mexico

Policy

formation and

integration

2009-2011 Government Tlaxcala

Quintana

Roo

5. Program in Support to the

Agenda of Climatic Change

of Mexico

The Program is structured as Third Operation

of the Programmatic PBL approved in 2008

in support of the Climate Change Agenda of

México, and consists in the following

components: (i) macroeconomic stability; (ii)

institutional framework; (iii) mitigation

agenda; and (iv) adaptation agenda.

IABD Government of

Mexico

Policy

formation and

integration

? - 2011

(closed)

Government National

6. Adaptation to Climate

Change in the Water Sector

Development Policy Loan138

Supports government priorities established

in its climate change adaptation and water

sector agenda.

World Bank

Budget:

Government of

Mexico

Policy

formation and

integration

2010–? Government;

Freshwater

supply

National

137 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=me-l1058 138 World Bank, http://water.worldbank.org/water/projects/adaptation-climate-change-water-sector-development-policy-loan

http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=me-l1058

http://water.worldbank.org/water/projects/adaptation-climate-change-water-sector-development-policy-loan



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

US$450.0

million (loan)

7. Community Forest

Development

Provide poor rural people in the region with

the training and institutions they need to

better manage their natural resources and

build new businesses. The project will also

focus on reducing greenhouse emissions and

will provide project participants with the

skills and resources they need to mitigate

and adapt to the effects of climate change.

GEF, IFAD,

co-financing

Budget:

US$18.5

million

National

Forestry

Commission

Capacity

building;

Community-

based

adaptation

2011 - ? Forestry Campeche,

Chiapas and

Oaxaca

8. Development of Climate

Change State Action Plan

for Yucatan139 and for

Tabasco140

The proposed operation seeks to elaborate a

State Action Plan against Climate Change for

Yucatan and another for Tabasco. Each plan

will be used by public State entities for

planning, policy making and investment

purposes. In addition, the plans will generate

technical/scientific information that will be

used in the development of the SEMARNAT-

lead Special Program on Climate Change.

IABD

US$0.2

million for

each state

Government of

Mexico

Policy

formation

2011–2013 Government Yucatan

Tabasco

Participation in Regional and Global Projects


Strategies and Risk

Reduction towards


Shocks: Lessons


Meso-America141







data.

Inter-

American

Institute for

Global

Change

Research

Budget:

Universidad del

Valle de

Guatemala


Costa Rica,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

and Mexico

139 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=ME-T1119 140 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=ME-T1171 141 IAI, http://iaibr1.iai.int/cgi-bin/SCI_Projects_Dynamic_Pages/CRN2/Factsheets/CRN2_60.pdf and http://www.iai.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=68

http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=ME-T1119

http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=ME-T1171




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

US$579,987

In Mexico: The project involves communities in Cacahuatán and Jitotolol, southern

Mexico.

10. Adaptation for Smallholders

to Climate Change (AdapCC)

The public-private partnership supports

coffee and tea farmers of Cafédirect’s supply

chain in developing strategies to cope with

the risks and impacts of climate change.

BMZ Cafédirect, Más

Café

Research;

Field

implementati

on

2007–2010 Agriculture;

Trade

Global:

Kenya,

Mexico,

Nicaragua,

Peru,

Tanzania,

Uganda

In Mexico: The project looked at impacts of decreasing rainfall and related adaptation

strategies in Chiapas.



Sustainable Forest


America142






adaptation and mitigation to climate change.

This includes strengthening specific research

activities, developing and disseminating

methodologies and case studies,

strengthening human resources and

fostering the representation of the forest

sector in the regional and international

dialogue.

Spain INIA, CIFOR,

CATIE,

Polytechnical

University of

Madrid (UPM)

Capacity

building;

Research;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


countries143

In Mexico: Further information required.



project “Capacity


The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America

and the Caribbean has expanded on the

global project, “Capacity Development for

Policy Makers to Address Climate Change” in

Spain, UNDP

Budget:

US$3.6

UNDP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and


Including

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

142 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/ 143 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)


Change”144

the LAC region to provide technical support

to national policy makers and its Country

Offices and strengthen capacity on

budgetary issues related to the post-2012

climate regime. Activities include technical

backstopping for countries that begin to

consider adaptation to climate change in

their National Development Plans.

million integration Guatemala,

Honduras,

Mexico,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In Mexico: Further information required.


Climate change and

adaptation in

Mesoamerica146




communities

Green

Mountain

Coffee

Roasters


Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Mexico,

Nicaragua

In Mexico: Analysis of climate change impacts on suitable locations for coffee


14. Regional Instruments for

Adaptation to Climate

Change by the Health

Sector147

The project aims to create mechanisms to

broaden knowledge of current and future

impacts of climate on health in the

population.

IADB, co-

financing

Budget:

US$1,202,000

IADB Knowledge

communicatio

n; Research

2010 - ? Human health LAC Region:

Bolivia,

Brazil,

Colombia,

Mexico,

Paraguay

In Mexico: To be determined

145 Countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela 144 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf 146 CIAT, http://dapa.ciat.cgiar.org/cup-coffee-under-pression-adaptacion-del-cafe-al-cambio-climatico-en-centroamerica 147 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/topics/regional-integration/project-information,3072.html?id=RG-T1681




http://www.iadb.org/en/topics/regional-integration/project-information,3072.html?id=RG-T1681



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)





Caribbean















Spain

Budget:

US$4,375,233

UNEP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration


Agriculture;

Freshwater

supply

LAC Region:

Phase 1: 19

RIOCC

countries148

Phase 2: 3-5

countries

(Dominican

Republic 1st

country

selected)

In Mexico: To be determined


Although it may be assumed that Mexico is actively engaged in the development of new projects and programs to support adaptation,

no specific activities in preparation have been identified.

E. Assessment

Mexico dominates the Mesoamerican region in terms of land size, population and economic production. This picture is reflected in the

number of adaptation projects underway within its borders, as well as in the progress it has made in terms of devising adaptation

strategies at the national, sub-national and sectoral levels, and in integrating adaptation policy into development programming. The

country has already submitted four National Communications to the UNFCCC, and has elaborated its Fifth National Communication.

This fifth report includes a set of plans, policies and programs that mainstream climate change into the relevant government actions.

148 The 19 RIOCC countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.


Current adaptation programming is working to put Mexico’s policies and programs into practice. However, given the large size of the

country and its widely varying adaptation needs, current initiatives are only partially addressing identified concerns. To identify existing

gaps in intervention, a more thorough assessment on the extent of current adaptation action at different levels would be required.

References:

Central Intelligence Agency [CIA] (2011). Mexico. The World Factbook. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-

world-factbook/geos/mx.html

Comisión Intersecretarial de Cambio Climático [CICC] (2007). Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático, México: Síntesis Ejecutiva.

CICC, 2009. Programa Especial de Cambio Climático. Retrieved from http://www2.ine.gob.mx/sistemas/peacc/

Comunicaciones nacionales de México: http://www.ine.gob.mx/cpcc-lineas/596-cpcc-comnal

Presidencia de la República de Mexico [PRM]. (2007). Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2007-2012.

United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] (2008). UNDP Climate Change Country Profiles: Mexico. Retrieved from

http://country-profiles.geog.ox.ac.uk/index.html?country=Mexico&d1=Reports

United States Department for State [USDS] (2010). Background Note: Mexico. Last updated 14 December 2010. Retrieved from


https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mx.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mx.html

http://www2.ine.gob.mx/sistemas/peacc/

http://www.ine.gob.mx/cpcc-lineas/596-cpcc-comnal

http://country-profiles.geog.ox.ac.uk/index.html?country=Mexico&d1=Reports



7.0 Nicaragua

BMZ Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (Federal Ministry for Economic

Cooperation and Development) (Germany)






Development)

CECOCAFEN La Central de Cooperativas Cafetaleras del Norte (Coffee Cooperatives Central Association in the Northern

Regions)






EU European Union

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization





MARENA Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales (Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources)

PRODECOOP La Cooperativa de Servicios Multiples de Productores de Cafe Organico Certificado Las Segovias

RAAN Región Autónoma Atlántico Norte (North Atlantic Autonomous Region)





UNDAF United Nations Development Assistance Framework




UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund

UNOPS United Nations Office for Project Services


The Republic of Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, with an area of 129,494 square kilometers (USDS, 2011).149 Home

to most of the Central American Volcanic Arc, the geographical variation in the country—from the Pacific Lowlands to the Amerrique

Mountains and the Mosquito Coast along the Atlantic Lowlands—has contributed to Nicaragua’s status as a biodiversity hotspot. The

country’s abundant resources support most of its economy, about one-third of which is derived from agriculture, timber and fishing

(USDS, 2011). Manufacturing (particularly textiles and apparel), services (retail, hotels and restaurants) and remittances also form a

significant portion of the country’s economy (CIA, 2011; USDS, 2011). Social and economic conditions have improved in Nicaragua

since 1991 (when the Sandinistas government ended), with its ranking on the UN Human Development Index rising by 25 per cent

between 1990 and 2010. Still, Nicaragua remains one of the poorest countries in Central America, with a per capita Gross Domestic

Product in 2010 estimated to be US$2,900, and economic gains are uneven within the population (USDS, 2011).


Nicaragua experiences a range of climate hazards including tropical cyclones, droughts, extreme rainfall events (via tropical storms) and

floods. While no clear trend has emerged as of yet with respect to the occurrence of tropical cyclones, drought events often occur in

relation to El Niño, particularly on the Pacific side of the country. The frequency of these events appears to be increasing (UNDP,

2010).

Temperature projections indicate that country’s the mean annual temperature will rise by 1.2o to 4.5oC by 2090, and that there will be

more rapid warming in the northeast of the country. Rainfall projections show no consistent direction of change, but are mostly

149 The population of Nicaragua is forecasted to reach 5,666,301 in July 2011 (CIA, 2011).


negative, with the strongest decreasing signal occurring for rainfall during the period of June to August, the wettest season of the year.

Extreme rainfall events are not projected to increase, although such a trend is currently observed (UNDP, 2010).

In Nicaragua’s First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the

government identifies agriculture and livestock, energy, ecosystems, human health and water as priority sectors (República de Nicaragua,

2001). It identified priority actions in the water sector as being: water conservation; watershed management; infrastructure for water

deviation; avoidance of deforestation; land planning measures; solid and liquid waste management; improving the country’s legal

framework; implementation of water action plan; and decentralization and promotion of integrated use of watersheds.

In addition, Nicaragua developed a “National Action Plan on Climate Change” in 2003 (MARENA, 2003) that looks at land use,

forestry, agriculture, energy and water; adaptation is addressed only in the context of agriculture and water. Similarly, a general

governmental document on climate change discusses water, agriculture, forests, energy and coastal and marine resources as affected

sectors (MARENA 2008a). Priorities identified in this document are, among other issues: integrated watershed management,

conservation of protected areas, biodiversity conservation, reduction of environmental contamination, reforestation (with specified

national targets), integrated marine and coastal ecosystems management, sustainable land use and citizen participation as key actions that

help to adapt to a changing climate.

In 2010, the government elaborated the “National Strategy and Action Plan on Environment and Climate Change” for the years 2010 to

2015. It proposes actions related to climate information, as well as the water, agriculture, forestry and health sectors (República de

Nicaragua, 2010). Specific priority adaptation actions noted in this plan are:

Water – Building water wells and aqueducts; water capture and storage; and watershed adaptation, including riverbank protection.

Agriculture – Resistant seeds, agricultural diversification, new crops and new economic activities.

Climate information – Strengthening monitoring and information collection, and early warning systems and response capacity.

Further government documents include: guidelines for the development of an adaptation strategy for forest ecosystems (CAHALAC,

2009); a vulnerability assessment for the Región Autónoma Atlántico Norte (RAAN; North Atlantic Autonomous Region) that

discusses impacts on water, agriculture, fisheries, natural resources and biodiversity, human systems, coasts and health (Milan Perez and

Martinez Ortiz, 2010); and a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-led capacity building initiative that involved

vulnerability assessments for water, health and coasts (described below). Recently, the Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources


(MARENA) states that biodiversity (including forests), water (in particular related to agriculture), health and coasts are priority sectors in

regards to adaptation. This statement suggests an extension of the strong emphasis on adaptation in the agriculture and water sectors

that has been witnessed in the past.150


As noted above, Nicaragua has developed various polices and strategies that address needs in sectors vulnerable to climate change. First,

in Nicaragua’s “National Plan of Human Development,” adaptation to climate change is mentioned under three of eight strategic

programs: Productive and Commercial Strategy; Environmental Sustainability and Forest Development; and Disaster Risk Management.

It does not take center stage in any of these programs, but it is mentioned as a factor to be taken into account in the development and

execution of strategies and policies related to agriculture, environment, forestry and disaster management (República de Nicaragua

2009).

Second, the 2003 “National Action Plan on Climate Change” (MARENA, 2003), which does not appear to have been implemented,

gives attention to adaptation, particularly with respect to agriculture and water. Third, the “National Strategy and Action Plan on

Environment and Climate Change” (República de Nicaragua, 2010) describes key environmental challenges and sets out an agenda of

actions for the period of 2010 to 2015 in the following areas: environmental education; defense and protection of the environment and

natural resources; conservation, recovery and use of water sources; prevention and mitigation of and adaptation to climate change; and

sustainable land use. In adaptation, measures relating to water, agriculture, climate information and disaster risk reduction are proposed.

Lastly, an adaptation strategy was elaborated for a specific watershed, with a view to also informing policy decisions in other regions

(MARENA 2008b). It identifies water and agriculture as key sectors (MARENA, 2008b). This prioritization is relevant for the national

level as the watershed was selected with a view to matching sectors that are of country-wide importance.

The Climate Change Directorate of the Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) is Nicaragua’s UNFCCC focal

point, and all climate change related work of the government appears to be concentrated in a relatively small team within MARENA.

Along with its various national strategies, Nicaragua has finalized one National Communication in conjunction with MARENA

(República de Nicaragua, 2001). A second National Communication was expected to be published in late 2009 but is not yet available.

This document will, among other things, contain an adaptation strategy for coffee production in two regions (UNDP 2010).

150 Personal communication, representative of MARENA, February 22, 2011.


At a regional level, Nicaragua is a member of the Central American Integration System (SICA), the institutional framework for the

integration of Central American states, and of the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), a

committee which brings together environmental ministries of SICA member states. Under the auspices of SICA and CCAD, a regional

climate change strategy was developed in 2010 (CCAD and SICA, 2010). The strategy summarizes climate information and sectoral

vulnerabilities and proposes six strategic areas, of which one is themed “Vulnerability and adaptation to climate variability and change,

and risk management.” Nine strategic objectives with over 150 measures relating to disaster risk reduction, agriculture and food security,

forest ecosystems and biodiversity, water, health, coastal-marine systems, tourism, indigenous people and public infrastructure are

mentioned under this theme. Other strategic areas are: mitigation; capacity building; education, awareness raising, communication and




Responsible



the UNFCCC

Government of

Nicaragua

Released March

2001

Multi-sectoral On adaptation, it presents available results of assessments

on economic impacts, impacts on ecosystems, health and

water, as well as adaptation measures for the latter sector.

2. National Action Plan on Climate

Change

Ministry for

Environment and

Natural Resources

Published

August 2003

Multi-sectoral Presents a national strategy on both mitigation and

adaptation, containing vulnerability information and priority

adaptation measures for agriculture and water. The plan

does not appear to have been implemented.

3. Adaptation to Climate Change

Strategy for Water Resources and

Agriculture for Watershed #64

Ministry for

Environment and

Natural Resources

Published 2008 Freshwater supply;

Agriculture;

Watershed

management

Strategic document elaborated in the context of a regional

adaptation capacity building project implemented by

CATHALAC. Even though it focuses on one watershed, the

results are meant to inform broader policy decisions.

4. National Human Development

Plan, 2009-2011

Government of

Nicaragua

Released

September 2009

Multi-sectoral Sets out eight strategic programs, of which the following

three mention climate change as a factor to be taken into

account: Productive and Commercial Strategy, subsection

on agriculture; Environmental Sustainability and Forest

Development; and Disaster Risk Management.

5. National Strategy on

Environment and Climate Change

(2010 – 2015)

Government of

Nicaragua

2010 Multi-sectoral Describes the key environmental challenges and sets out an

agenda of key actions for the period 2010 to 2015 in the

following areas: environmental education; defense and

protection of the environment and natural resources;



Responsible


conservation, recovery and use of water sources;

prevention and mitigation of and adaptation to climate

change; and sustainable land use. In adaptation, measures

relating to water, agriculture, climate information and

disaster risk reduction are proposed.


to the UNFCCC

Ministry for

Environment and

Natural Resources

Forthcoming Freshwater supply;

Agriculture

This document is expected to focus its adaptation section

on the water and agricultural sectors. There is a specific

focus on coffee cultures and adaptation measures in this

area.


Nicaragua has a very high level of adaptation project activity ongoing relative to other Central American countries. This programming

has so far largely focused on capacity building at the national and sub-national levels, as well as research, mainly on water and

agriculture—the country’s implicit priority sectors. However, two important projects involving more specific measures, including

infrastructure investments, have been approved recently. They are financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the

Adaptation Fund and will be implemented over the next five years. As with previous initiatives, they tend to focus on agriculture and

water. Other organizations, like Oxfam, are involved in community-level initiatives that are helping to build adaptive capacity.

Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Nicaragua


Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

National Actions

1. Local and Regional

Environmental

Management for the

Management of Natural

Resources and Provision of

Environmental Services151

The program is composed of activities

around five interrelated components: a)

basin management that focuses on risk

management, b) equal access to potable

water and sanitation; c) provision of

renewable energy to rural communities; d)

promotion of productive agroforestry

Spain,

through the

MDG

Achievement

Fund

Budget:

MARENA and

other

government

ministries, local

authorities,

UNICEF, UNDP,

FAO

Capacity

building;

Research;

Knowledge

communicatio

n; Field

implementati

2008–2011 Ecosystem

conservation;

Watershed

management;

Energy;

Forestry

Bosawas

Biosphere

Reserve

151 MDG Fund, http://www.mdgfund.org/program/localandregionalenvironmentalmanagementmanagementnaturalresourcesandprovisionenvironmentalse

http://www.mdgfund.org/program/localandregionalenvironmentalmanagementmanagementnaturalresourcesandprovisionenvironmentalse



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

systems which are appropriate for the

ecosystems of the area and generating

income; and e) research, training, and

communication.

US$4.5 million on

2. Environmental Program for

Disaster Risk and Climate

Change Management152

This project will improve risk management,

primarily at the municipal level, in the areas

of risk identification and reduction and the

strengthening of governance. It will also

support agricultural producers to adapt to

climate change.

IADB MARENA Capacity

building;

Infrastructure


management;

Agriculture

National

3. Reduction of Risks and

Vulnerability Based on

Flooding and Droughts in

the Estero Real

Watershed153

Reduce flood and drought risks in the

Estero Real watershed, through water

storage, strengthening climate resilient

agro-ecological practices, enhancing

institutional capacities and disseminating

results and lessons-learned

Adaptation

Fund

Budget:

US$5,500,950

UNDP,

MARENA

Capacity

building; Field

implementati

on


management

Estero Real

Watershed





Management154







building.

UNEP UNEP, CATIE,

CATHALAC

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration


supply


Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Nicaragua: Community consultations in Bluefields.


Change155





Red

Cross/Red

Crescent

Climate

National Red

Cross/Red

Crescent

Societies

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

Phase 1:

2006–2009

Phase 2:

ongoing

Disaster risk

management

Global: 39

countries

In Phase 1:

Costa Rica, El

152 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=NI-L1048 153 Adaptation Fund, http://www.adaptation-fund.org/project/1331-reduction-risks-and-vulnerability-based-flooding-and-droughts-estero-real-river-watersh 154 UNEP, http://www.cep.unep.org/meetings-events/5th-lbs-istac/5th_lbs_istac_documents/cathalac-2009-climate-change-adaptation-in-iwrm-en.pdf 155 IFRC, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/preparedness-for-climate-change-programme

http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=NI-L1048

http://www.adaptation-fund.org/project/1331-reduction-risks-and-vulnerability-based-flooding-and-droughts-estero-real-river-watersh





Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)








resilient plans.

Centre integration Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Nicaragua: All four steps of the project have been completed.

6. Adaptation for Smallholders

to Climate Change (AdapCC)

This public–private partnership supports

coffee and tea farmers of Cafédirect’s

supply chain in developing strategies to

cope with the risks and impacts of climate

change.

BMZ Cafédirect, Más

Café

Research;

Field

implementati

on

2007–2010 Agriculture;

Trade

Global:

Kenya,

Mexico,

Nicaragua,

Peru,

Tanzania,

Uganda

In Nicaragua: The project looked at drought, landslides and pests, their impacts and

adaptation strategies in Nicaragua.



Phase II156













IADB, UK,

Denmark,

Spain, EU,

Germany

ECLAC, CCAD,

SIECA

Policy

formation and

integration;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


Coastal zone

management

Regional:

Belize, Costa

Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In Nicaragua: A crop impact study for agriculture has been undertaken and published.





United

Nations

UNDP Capacity

building;


19

156 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)


sectors157











Foundation;

Switzerland;

Finland;

Spain; and

Norway

Budget:

US$6,953,413

Policy

formation and

integration;

Knowledge

communicatio

n

countries158

including

Costa Rica,

Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Nicaragua: Vulnerability assessments were undertaken for health, water and coasts. A

national inter-ministerial dialogue on climate change was held to discuss sectoral impacts

and financial flows to fund climate change action.159


Risks and Opportunities into


Processes and United

Nations Country

Programming160

The purpose of the project was to develop

the capacity of UN staff and Government

stakeholders to integrate risks and

opportunities of climate change in national

programming and development policies,

such as their United Nations Development

Assistance Framework, sectoral programs,

and development plans.

Spain

Budget:

US$1.2 million

UNDP Policy

formation and

integration

2008–2010

(closed)

Government Global:

Cape Verde,

Colombia, El

Salvador,

Malawi and

Nicaragua

In Nicaragua: The project involved the development of a climate profile, institutional

mapping, as well as an evaluation of the UNDAF and the National Human Development

Plan in terms of climate change mainstreaming.



project “Capacity



Change”161







Spain, UNDP

Budget:

US$3.6 million

UNDP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration


Including

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

157 UNDP, http://www.undp.org/climatechange/capacity-development.html 158 These countries are Algeria, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Gambia, Honduras, Liberia, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Togo, Turkmenistan and Uruguay. 159 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/nicaragua-en.aspx 160 http://www.adaptationlearning.net/project/integrating-climate-change-risks-and-opportunities-national-development-processes-and-unite-2 and UNDP, http://www.undp.org/climatechange/integrating_cc_risks.shtml 161 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf

http://www.undpcc.org/content/nicaragua-en.aspx

http://www.adaptationlearning.net/project/integrating-climate-change-risks-and-opportunities-national-development-processes-and-unite-2






Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)







Development Plans.

Mexico,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In Nicaragua: See above description for the project “Capacity Development for Policy


11. Climate Change


















Spain ECLAC,

University of

Cantabria,

national

counterparts

Capacity

building;

Assessment;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


management

Most RIOCC

countries,165

including all

in Central

America

In Nicaragua: Further information required.



Sustainable Forest




Spain INIA, CIFOR,

CATIE,

Polytechnical

Capacity

building;

Research;


countries

162 Countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela 163 RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm 164 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html 165 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. Paraguay and Uruguay are not involved in this initiative.





Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)


America166











University of

Madrid (UPM)

Knowledge

communicatio

n



Climate change and

adaptation in

Mesoamerica167




communities

Green

Mountain

Coffee

Roasters


Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Mexico,

Nicaragua

In Nicaragua: Analysis of climate change impacts on suitable locations for coffee


14. Climate Risk Management

Technical Assistance

Support Project: Phase II168

The project aims at increasing in-country


climate risks.

Sweden

through SIDA,

UNDP core

finance

UNDP Policy

formation and

integration


16

countries169

including

Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Nicaragua: The project involves a literature review on current and future climate risks

and risk management options, as well as a focused risk assessment of the health sector.

Scientific research, community consultations and participatory methods are being applied.

166 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/ 167 CIAT, http://dapa.ciat.cgiar.org/cup-coffee-under-pression-adaptacion-del-cafe-al-cambio-climatico-en-centroamerica 168 UNDP, http://www.undp.org/cpr/documents/disaster/3Disaster%20Risk%20Reduction%20-%20Climate%20Risk%20Management.pdf 169 These countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Dominican Republic, Honduras, India, Kenya, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Timor-Leste and Uganda.





Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

Implementing Agency: International Institute for Sustainable Development

Priority sector: Health





Caribbean















Spain

Budget:

US$4,375,233

UNEP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration


Agriculture;

Freshwater

supply

LAC Region:

Phase 1: 19

RIOCC

countries170

Phase 2: 3-5

countries

(Dominican

Republic 1st

country

selected)




Initiative171







United States

Department

of State

(USDS)

U.S. Peace

Corps, USDS

Community-

based

adaptation;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


Costa Rica,

Dominican

Republic, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Guyana,

Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama,

Paraguay,

Peru,

Suriname


170 The 19 RIOCC countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. 171 ECPA, http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives/default.aspx?id=35



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

17. Boots on the Ground172 Strengthening the capacities of government

agencies for policy support on climate

change, while promoting perspectives and

frameworks that encourage a better

integration of development and climate

change agendas; empowering governments

to articulate their needs in negotiations; and

advising them on the steps to transform

economies to low emission, climate resilient

development.

UNDP UNDP Capacity

building


Nicaragua

and 25 other

countries

worldwide

In Nicaragua: A national advisor has been hired to achieve the above objectives.

18. Integrated Coastal






Promote the sustainable use of marine and

















UNEP, Spain UNEP,

Ministries of

Environment

and Fisheries

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration;

Field

implementati

on


management


Honduras,

Nicaragua

In Nicaragua: Focus on Caribbean coast; specific tasks to be determined.

19. Partners for Resilience174 To increase the resilience of citizens against

natural disasters, climate change and the

deterioration of ecosystems, through

Netherlands

Budget: €40

Dutch Red

Cross, Red

Cross Climate

Capacity

building;

Knowledge


management

Global:

Ethiopia,

Guatemala,

172 UNDP, http://www.undp.org/gef/documents/newsletters/Pacific_Brief_September2010.pdf 173 SIAGUA, http://www.siagua.org/?pid=4000&id=13901&tipo=noticias 174 Red Cross, http://www.climatecentre.org/site/partners-for-resilience

http://www.undp.org/gef/documents/newsletters/Pacific_Brief_September2010.pdf





Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

various intervention strategies: stimulating

sustainable economic developments;

strengthening the capacity of local

organizations and local authorities, among

other things by making a risk assessment,

natural disaster risk management plans and

warning systems; advocacy and stimulation

of knowledge sharing between


institutes and the private sector in the field

of natural disaster reduction and climate

adaptation.

million Centre, CARE,

Cordaid,

Wetlands

International

communicatio

n

India,

Indonesia,

Kenya, Mali,

Nicaragua,

the

Philippines,

Uganda



The “National Strategy and Action Plan on Environment and Climate Change” proposes a number of adaptation projects, along with

responsible ministries and organizations, as well as funders (República de Nicaragua, 2010). These proposed initiatives are presented in

Table 3. It is unclear to what extent these projects are in the process of being developed. Outside of these projects, Nicaragua is

proposed to be part of a global initiative called “Up-scaling and Replicating Successful Approaches to Adaptation at the Local Level.”

Funding for this project has been requested from the Special Climate Change Fund.

Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions in Nicaragua


(if any)

Projects Proposed in the National Strategy and Action Plan on Environment and Climate Change

1. Promote adaptation

measures

To promote adaptation measures and responses

by the Nicaraguan population in the face of

climate change impacts, mainly through the

construction of wells, aqueducts, rainwater

capture and storage, resistant seeds, agricultural

diversification, new crops and economic activities.

Field implementation Freshwater supply;

Agriculture

Notes: To be implemented by MARENA and other government ministries,

municipal and regional governments; to be funded by the Global Environment

Facility, IADB and Nordic governments.

2. Meteorology, seismology Strengthen monitoring and information Capacity building; Climate service Seven municipalities of



(if any)

and hydrology information

and monitoring

mechanisms in meteorology, seismology and

hydrology, in order to provide opportune and

correct information to the population, improving

early warning systems and response of

communities and at the inter-institutional level.

Knowledge

communication

information; Disaster risk

reduction

the sub-watershed of Rio

Viejo and of Lake Apanás

Notes: To be implemented by MARENA and government ministries involved in

civil defense and meteorological services; to be funded by IADB and Nordic

governments.

3. Adaptation works in

watersheds

Implement adaptation measures in the main

watersheds, such as riverbank protection, in order

to protect them from the impacts of climate

change.

Implementation of

measures

Freshwater supply Main watersheds

Notes: MARENA and other government ministries, municipal and regional

governments are to be involved.

Other Proposed Projects

4. Up-scaling and Replicating

Successful Approaches to

Adaptation at the Local

Level175

The objectives of this project are not available. Community-based

adaptation

Unknown Global: Indicative 10

countries –

Barbados, China,

Indonesia, Mali,

Nicaragua, Peru, Sri

Lanka, Tajikistan,

Tanzania,

Tunisia

Notes: This project has been proposed to the Special Climate Change Fund.

E. Assessment

Agriculture and water are Nicaragua’s implicit priority areas for adaptation, reflecting its current climate risks and the location of its

vulnerable populations. Adaptation projects have so far concentrated mostly on research and capacity building, but two larger

infrastructure and capacity building initiatives have recently started. Current adaptation programming addresses needs in a number of

different sectors, including agriculture and water, but also disaster risk management, coastal zone management and strengthening the

capacity of government to prepare for and respond to climate change. Gaps in programming appear to be present in relation to human

health and biodiversity; as well, none of the projects identified give explicit attention the gender-based impacts of climate change.

175 GEF, http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/publication/adaptation-actions_0.pdf



Nicaragua’s finalized “National Strategy and Action Plan on Environment and Climate Change” proposes a number of adaptation

programs for the period 2010 to 2015. Moreover, Nicaragua’s policy framework is being strengthened, not the least through the national

strategy which was adopted in 2010. Climate change is also mentioned in the country’s “National Human Development Plan.” Despite

advancements made in adaptation measures, Nicaragua’s national government experiences weak capacities; MARENA, for example, has

few permanent staff.

References:

Central Intelligence Agency [CIA] (2011). Nicaragua. The World Factbook. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-

world-factbook/geos/nu.html.

Centro del Agua del Trópico Humedo para America Latina y el Caribe [CATHALAC] (2009). Consideraciones Generales para el

Desarrollo de una Estrategia de Adaptación de los Ecosistemas Forestales al Cambio Climático en Nicaragua.



Milan Perez, J.A. and A. Martinez Ortiz (2010). Vulnerabilidad al Cambio Climático de la Región Autonoma del Atlantico Norte.

Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales [MARENA] (2008a). Nicaragua Unida frente al cambio climático!

Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales [MARENA] (2008b). Estrategia de Adaptación al Cambio Climático de los Sistemas

Recursos Hídricos y Agricultura

Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales [MARENA] (2003). Plan de Acción Nacional Ante el Cambio Climático.

República de Nicaragua (2001). Primera Comunicación Nacional Ante la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio

Climático. Retrieved from http://unfccc.int/essential_background/library/items/3599.php?rec=j&priref=3188#beg



República de Nicaragua (2009). Plan Nacional de Desarrollo Humano Actualizado 2009-2011.

República de Nicaragua (2010). Estrategia Nacional Ambiental y del Cambio Climático. Plan de Acción 2010-2015.

United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] (2010). Nicaraguan Second National Communication Project Website:

http://www.undp.org.ni/proyectos/2/101

United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] (2010). UNDP Climate Change Country Profiles. Nicaragua. Retrieved from

http://country-profiles.geog.ox.ac.uk/index.html?country=Nicaragua&d1=Reports

United States Department for State [USDS] (2010). Background Note: Nicaragua. Retrieved from


http://www.undp.org.ni/proyectos/2/101

http://country-profiles.geog.ox.ac.uk/index.html?country=Nicaragua&d1=Reports



8.0 Panama

ANAM Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (National Environmental Authority)





Development)



CONACCP Comité Nacional de Cambio Climatico de Panamá (National Climate Change Committee of Panama)


FAO Food and Agriculture Organization





PAHO Pan-American Health Organization










Marking the transition point between North and South America, the Republic of Panama has one of the most developed economies in

Central America.176 Much of its economy (70 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, or GDP) depends on a service sector that includes

the Panama Canal, banking, tourism and healthcare (USDS, 2010). Agriculture (including livestock and timber) forms only a small

portion (6.2 per cent) of the country’s GDP (USDS, 2010). Although about 30 per cent of Panamanians live in poverty, this level has

been declining in recent years (CIA, 2011).


Panama is periodically affected by droughts (often linked to El Niño events), tropical storms and hurricanes (though to a much lesser

extent than the more northern parts of Central America) and inundations. Climate projections for Panama estimate that mean annual

temperatures could rise by 1.2° to 1.5°C by 2050, and by 2.2° to 3.6°C by 2100. Rainfall projections have much wider uncertainty

margins; on average, models project reductions of 2 to 6 per cent for 2100, much less than in other countries of the region. All figures

are according to the averages of three models and compared to a 1980 to 2000 baseline (ECLAC, 2010).

Panama’s First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) identifies the

following sectors as sensitive to climatic changes: agriculture, water, coastal-marine systems, health and forests. The first three are

highlighted as particularly vulnerable (República de Panamá, 2001). Panama’s forthcoming Second National Communication identifies

energy as a further vulnerable sector. It also has a regional focus on the dry arc, a dry area in the southeastern part of the country, and

on islands. Vulnerability and adaptation assessment aim to analyze interrelations between sectors in the focus areas (ANAM, 2007).

Panama’s First National Communication identifies key adaptation measures for the following vulnerable sectors (República de Panamá,

2001):

Coastal and marine systems – Retreat from vulnerable areas; accommodate human intervention with ecosystem conservation (i.e.

through integrated coastal zone management); and protect the most vulnerable zones (e.g., reforest mangroves and minimize

erosion).

Agriculture – Strategic sectoral planning taking climate risks into account; studies on plagues and diseases; improve efficiency of

irrigation systems; improve coverage of weather stations; test new varieties; use crop models; and improve agricultural land

planning.

176 Per capita GDP in Panama in 2010 was estimated to be USD 12,700 (CIA, 2011).


Health – Establish a strategy on health and climate change; improve statistics; monitor and develop projection for health

indicators; conduct studies to identify vulnerable regions; improve sanitation and education; and technology development and

transfer.

Water – Education on water availability; improve the hydro-meteorological network; scientific studies on hydrology and

climatology; protection, conservation and rational management of natural resources; promote alternative sources of renewable

energy; promote policies that improve living conditions in watersheds; promote technology research to improve efficiency of

water use; develop water use plan; explore alternative water sources; and strategic exchanges with other countries in the region.

Forests – Management of protected areas and elaboration of plans for participative management.


At a national level, Panama has developed policies and strategies that address vulnerabilities in priority sectors. For example, the

government established a “National Climate Change Policy” in 2007 (República de Panamá, 2007) that proposes a general framework

for mitigation and adaptation action in Panama. It says that a participatory action plan on climate change is to be elaborated and that

vulnerability and adaptation considerations are to be included in national environment plans. Additionally, a “Climate Change Action

Plan” is currently being prepared with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). However, Panama’s “Strategic

Government Plan” for the period 2010 to 2014 identifies logistics, tourism, agriculture and financial services as economic priority

sectors, but does not mention climate change or adaptation (República de Panamá, 2010).

In addition to these actions, Panama has finalized one National Communication (República de Panamá, 2001). A second report was to

be published in 2010, but is not yet available. It will, among other things, contain vulnerability assessments for various sectors and with a

regional focus on dry areas and islands (ANAM, 2010). The National Environmental Authority (ANAM) is the UNFCCC focal point

and has a unit focusing on climate change and desertification. In 2009, the National Climate Change Committee of Panama

(CONACCP) was founded in order to assist ANAM with implementation of the country’s climate change policy. CONACCP consists

mainly of government agencies and universities.

Regionally, Panama is a member of the Central American Integration System (SICA), the institutional framework for the integration of

Central American states, and of the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), a committee which

brings together environmental ministries of SICA member states. Under the auspices of SICA and CCAD, a regional climate change

strategy has recently been developed (CCAD and SICA, 2010). The strategy summarizes climate information and sectoral vulnerabilities


and proposes six strategic areas, of which one is themed “Vulnerability and adaptation to climate variability and change, and risk

management.” Nine strategic objectives with over 150 measures relating to disaster risk reduction, agriculture and food security, forest






Responsible



the UNFCCC

National Environmental

Authority

Published in 2001 Multi-sectoral On adaptation, it presents available results of impact

assessments and proposes adaptation measures for five

vulnerable sectors.

2. National Climate Change Policy Government of Panama Published in

February 2007

Multi-sectoral Presents a national policy on climate change, which aims at

managing the issue and its effects at the national level, in

conformation with international treaties and the national

environmental law. Among other things, a Participatory

Action Plan on climate change is proposed. Furthermore, it

stipulates that vulnerability and adaptation objectives have

to be included in national environment plans.


to the UNFCCC

National Environmental

Authority

Forthcoming Multi-sectoral Initially scheduled to be finalized by 2010, its expected

priority area are the dry arc and islands.


A moderate number of adaptation projects exist to date in Panama. Most are directed towards building the capacity of government to

respond to the projected impacts of climate change. Coastal zone management needs are also being addressed through more than one

project. Action in several other sectors is also ongoing, including agriculture, water, energy, forestry and disaster risk management.

Overall, adaptation programming in Panama remains mainly focused on capacity building and/or policy research.


Table 2: Current Adaptation Action in Panama


Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

National Actions

1. Integration of Climate

Change Adaptation and

Mitigation Measures in the

Management of Natural

Resources in Four Priority

Watersheds of Panama177

To build the capacity to adapt to and

mitigate climate change in order to

contribute to environmental sustainability

and poverty reduction in four priority

watersheds in Panama. This will be achieved

through: the development of an Adaptation

and Mitigation Strategy and a Pilot Climate

Monitoring System; improvement of local

management of land and water resources;

and increased access to sources of funding.

Spain through

the MDG

Fund; UNDP,

UNEP, FAO,

PAHO

Budget: US$

4 million178

UNDP,

National

Environmental

Authority,

Ministry of

Agricultural

Development,

National Civil

Protection

System and the

Ministry of

Health

Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration;

Field

implementati

on

2008–2011 Watershed

management

Tuira and

Chucunaque

in Darién,

Tabasara in

the Ngobe

Buglé

Territory and

La Villa in

Arco Seco

2. Support to the Climate

Change Action Plan of

Panama179

Activities to contribute to the preparation

of a Climate Change Action Plan at national

level by the Government of Panama.

Inter-

American

Development

Bank

ANAM Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration

2008–2011 Government Watersheds

of Chico and

San Pablo

rivers,

province of

Chiriquí

3. Integration of Climate

Change Adaptation in

twenty communities in the

Darien region180

To build the capacity at the community and

national level to support climate change

adaptation in the Darien. At the national

level, this will include providing training to

Government of Panama ministry staff that

has authority or influence over adaptation

and response actions in our target areas. In

specific communities in the Darien, USAID

USAID

Budget: US$900,000

Chemonics Capacity

building

2011-2012 Government;

Disaster risk

management

20

communities

in the

Cemaco

district of the

Comarca

Embera-

Wounaan

177 MDG Fund, http://www.mdgfund.org/program/integrationclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationmeasuresmanagementnaturalresourcesfourpriorit and ALM, http://www.adaptationlearning.net/program/integration-climate-change-adaptation-and-mitigation-measures-managem-natural-resources-four 178 Contributions have been made as follows: FAO: $604,282; PAHO: 611,450; UNDP: 1,250,851; and UNEP: 1,533,417. 179 IADB, http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=PN-T1059 180 GWP, www.gwpcentroamerica.org/uploaded/content/event/596594949.ppt

http://www.mdgfund.org/program/integrationclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationmeasuresmanagementnaturalresourcesfourpriorit

http://www.adaptationlearning.net/program/integration-climate-change-adaptation-and-mitigation-measures-managem-natural-resources-four

http://www.iadb.org/en/projects/project,1303.html?id=PN-T1059

http://www.gwpcentroamerica.org/uploaded/content/event/596594949.ppt



Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)

will engage (working alongside SINAPROC)

to help community groups organize and

equip themselves to prevent, prepare for,

and respond to the impacts of climate

change.




Phase II181













IADB, UK,

Denmark,

Spain, EU,

Germany

ECLAC, CCAD,

SIECA

Policy

formation and

integration;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


Coastal zone

management

Regional:

Belize, Costa

Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In Panama: A crop impact study for agriculture has been undertaken and published.



project “Capacity



Change”182











Spain, UNDP

Budget:

US$3.6 million

UNDP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration


Including

Costa Rica, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Honduras,

Mexico,

Nicaragua,

Panama

In Panama: Further information required.184

181 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html 182 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/act_latin-en.aspx and http://www.undp.org/climatechange/docs/EEG_Flyer_EN.pdf 183 Countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela






Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)



Development Plans.

6. Climate Change


















Spain ECLAC,

University of

Cantabria,

national

counterparts

Capacity

building;

Assessment;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


management

Most RIOCC

countries,187

including all

in Central

America

In Panama: Further information required.



Sustainable Forest


America188










Spain INIA, CIFOR,

CATIE,

Polytechnical

University of

Madrid (UPM)

Capacity

building;

Research;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


countries

In Panama: Further information required.

184 UNDP, http://www.undpcc.org/content/panama-en.aspx 185 RIOCC, http://www.lariocc.net/riocc_principal/es/proyectos_iniciativas/proy_marc_piacc.htm 186 ECLAC, http://www.eclac.org/mexico/cambioclimatico/index.html 187 The 21 member countries of RIOCC are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. Paraguay and Uruguay are not involved in this initiative. 188 Proyecto MIA, http://www.proyectomia.com/

http://www.undpcc.org/content/panama-en.aspx





Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)







Initiative189







United States

Department

of State

(USDS)

U.S. Peace

Corps, USDS

Community-

based

adaptation;

Knowledge

communicatio

n


Costa Rica,

Dominican

Republic, El

Salvador,

Guatemala,

Guyana,

Honduras,

Nicaragua,

Panama,

Paraguay,

Peru,

Suriname

In Panama: Further information required





Caribbean












Spain

Budget:

US$4,375,233

UNEP Capacity

building;

Policy

formation and

integration


Agriculture;

Freshwater

supply

LAC Region:

Phase 1: 19

RIOCC

countries190

Phase 2: 3-5

countries

(Dominican

Republic 1st

country

selected)

189 ECPA, http://www.ecpamericas.org/initiatives/default.aspx?id=35 190 The 19 RIOCC countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.




Agency(s)

Type of

project

Duration Priority

Sector(s)

Geographic

focus (if any)




In Panama: Further information required


With respect to the initiation of new adaptation projects, Panama is anticipated to participate in two regional programs that individually

will address food security and coastal zones management concerns. Funding for these projects is being provided by the United States

Agency for International Development (USAID).

Table 3: Proposed Adaptation Actions


(if any)



impacted by climate change. The program will work to

reduce disaster risks and vulnerability to climatic shocks in

Central America by improving information, such as Earth

observation data. USAID will help build the capacity for

government and community organizations to utilize early


Capacity building;

Knowledge

communication


risk management

Central America

Notes: From USAID fast start finance notes; US$300,000 for the whole

of Central America.




management

Central America

Notes: USAID program for Central America; budget of US$1 million for


E. Assessment

Policy documents on adaptation to climate change are presently scarce in Panama. The only detailed official document on priority

sectors and adaptation measures is its First National Communication from 2001, as climate change is not mentioned in Panama’s

current national development plan elaborated in 2010. However, there are indications that adaptation is gaining momentum in national

policy making. First, a national climate change policy with general directions was enacted in 2007. In 2009, the interagency climate


change committee CONACCP191 was established. Currently, IADB is funding the elaboration of a national climate change action plan.

Also, the Second National Communication with a focus on vulnerable areas, especially dry areas and islands, is expected to be finalized

soon.

A moderate number of current adaptation project have been identified, each of which will help provide a basis for more concrete

adaptation action in the future. Most of these projects emphasize capacity building activities. A number provide support to the

government as it develops its capacity to support adaptation within the country. Although adaptation needs in several sectors are being

addressed, gaps in programming appear to be present with respect to areas such as human health, gender concerns, biodiversity and the

built environment.

References:

Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente [ANAM] (2007). Presentation on the Second National Communication. Retrieved from

http://www.anam.gob.pa/images/stories/documentos_CC/Segunda_Comunicacion_Nacional_de_CC.pdf

Central Intelligence Agency [CIA] (2011). Panama. The World Factbook. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-

world-factbook/geos/pm.html.



United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean [ECLAC] (2010). Escenarios de cambio climático para

Centroamérica. In: Economía del Cambio Climático en Centroamérica.

República de Panamá (2010). Panama Plan Estrategico de Gobierno 2010-2014.

República de Panamá (2007). Decreto Ejecutivo No.35 (de 26 de febrero de 2007) “Por el cual se aprueba la Política Nacional de

Cambio Climático, sus principios, objetivos y líneas de Acción”.

191 Comité Nacional de Cambio Climatico de Panamá, or the National Climate Change Committee of Panama.

http://www.anam.gob.pa/images/stories/documentos_CC/Segunda_Comunicacion_Nacional_de_CC.pdf

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pm.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pm.html


República de Panamá (2001). Primera Comunicación Nacional sobre Cambio Climático de Panamá ante la Secretaria de la Convención Marco de las

Naciones Unidas sobre Cambio Climático (CMNUCC). Retrieved from


United States Department of States [USDS] (2010). Background Note: Panama. Retrieved from




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